Surgery
The Trinity surgical center provides the expertise you expect, performing advanced surgical techniques such as robotic surgery, rapid recovery joint replacement and open-heart surgery on patients throughout the Quad Cities area.
Because we strive to give our patients the highest level of surgical care – the healthcare we'd like our loved ones to receive – it's no wonder Trinity is known as the best surgery center in the Quad Cities, caring for more surgery patients than any other area hospital.
Preparing for Your Surgery
We want to help you feel prepared and comfortable throughout your treatment. Be sure to discuss the details of your procedure with your doctor. If you have any questions or special requests regarding your time at Trinity, please call us at (563) 742-5000 so we can work with you and your doctor to make sure your needs are met.
Tips for Preparing for Surgery
Plan on arriving at the hospital one and a half to two hours before your scheduled surgery time unless directed otherwise. You can park in the main lot.
The Day of Surgery
It is extremely important to follow instructions for eating and drinking because your surgery or procedure could be canceled or postponed if you don't observe the stated restrictions.
- Adults (age 13+): Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. This includes gum, candy and water. No smoking the day of your surgery.
- Children: No solid foods, candy or gum after midnight. Children may have clear liquids up to four hours before surgery unless otherwise directed. Clear liquids include clear carbonated beverages, water and apple juice (not cider).
- Infants: If your child is nursing, you can breastfeed or give breast milk until four hours before surgery. Infants who drink cow's milk, soy milk or formula must stop drinking six hours before surgery.
Note: It can be hard to explain to children why they can't eat or drink on the day of surgery. Be prepared with plenty of distractions for your child, such as books, toys and hugs. It's also helpful to keep food and drink out of sight.
If you're arriving for an outpatient procedure, please keep bags to a minimum. You may want to bring a book or magazine. If you'll be staying in the hospital overnight, please bring your own sleepwear, slippers, crutches and slings, CPAP/BiPAP supplies, inhalers, toiletries and loose comfortable clothes (to wear home). For children, a special toy or blanket is suggested to help them feel more comfortable while in the hospital.
Remember: Bring your insurance and Medicare cards and any form(s) with you.
Plan on arriving at the hospital one and a half to two hours before your scheduled surgery time unless directed otherwise. You can park in the main hospital lot.
Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery
Trinity offers a wide range of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures in partnership with our experienced providers at UnityPoint Clinic ENT - Moline who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of ENT disorders and diseases in both adults and children.
- Create eardrum opening
- Remove tonsils
- Remove adenoids
- Repair nasal septum
- Repair eardrum
- Probe eardrum structures
- Excise/repair mouth lesion
- Nasal/sinus endoscopy surgery
- Inspire implant for obstructive sleep apnea
Robotic Surgery in the Quad Cities
Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Orthopedic Surgery
UnityPoint Health® – Trinity is proud to be the first hospital system in the Quad Cities region to offer robotic orthopedic surgery through the Mako SmartRoboticsTM system. The Mako system at Trinity assists our expert surgeons in performing partial and total knee and hip replacement surgeries with increased precision and accuracy. That means you can get back to living the life you love, faster.
A partial or total knee replacement is determined by the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee. The Mako total hip replacement is meant for patients who suffer from degenerative joint disease.
Learn More About Orthopedic Surgery
Why Mako?
- Faster recovery times
- Shorter medical stays
- Less inpatient physical therapy
- Less pain after surgery, reducing the need for pain medications
- Better movement, flexion, and long-term function
Get Started
To learn more about Mako, ask your primary care provider for a referral or call (563) 742-5300 to learn more.
How Does It Work?
There are several types of robots in use at Trinity. For urological, gynecological and some general surgeries, the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot allows doctors to operate with greater precision and minimal discomfort for the patient.
The Robotic Surgery Process: Robotic vs. Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery
Robotic techniques can overcome many limitations posed by conventional laparoscopic surgery.
While the procedures vary, the process of robotic surgery typically involves the following:
- The surgeon sits at a special console throughout the robotic surgery.
- A very small 3D camera and dime-sized surgical instruments are placed inside the patient through tiny incisions near the abdomen. The camera gives the surgeon a magnified 360-degree view of the operative field and offers incredible clarity with high-definition 3D pictures, resulting in better visualization and precision.
- Using the console's hand and foot controls, the surgeon remotely moves robotic arms attached to surgical instruments. Fully articulating robotic arms mimic the motions of hands for better dexterity and control, whereas conventional laparoscopic instruments are scopes and long sticks that can't go around corners.
- A certified nurse assists directly at the operating table to confirm the correct placement of the surgical instruments.
- Many patients are back to doing what they love within a week after surgery.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
Compared to traditional techniques, the very small incisions created by robotic surgery drastically reduce patients' time in the hospital and their risk of infections. The use of high-definition 3D cameras allows surgeons close-up views of areas they aren't able to see during open surgery. Fully articulating robotic arms mimic the movement of hands, allowing surgeons to have greater dexterity and control than is possible with conventional laparoscopic instruments.
Inside the OR
The diagram below illustrates the operating room layout for the da Vinci Surgical robot.
Procedures
Colorectal
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
Gynecologic
- Hysterectomy for benign or malignant disease (common symptoms include fibroids, abnormal bleeding or endometriosis)
- Adhesions
- Myomectomy
- Tubal Reanastomosis
- Various Pelvic Relaxation Procedures
Urologic
- Prostatectomy
da Vinci Xi
Committed to bringing the Quad Cities the best surgical experience, Trinity invested in the newest robotic technology available. Trinity is the first hospital in the Quad Cities to acquire the most advanced da Vinci surgical robot.This is the fourth generation da Vinci robot, which has improved reach inside the body and provides surgeons an extended range of motion. These added benefits will aid surgeons performing several robot-assisted cancer surgeries at Trinity – with a primary focus on colon, prostate and general surgeries.
The Xi System immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands inside the patient. The new surgical robot has an expandable technology platform designed to accommodate and seamlessly integrate a range of current technologies in areas such as imaging, advanced instruments and anatomical access. Since the robotic surgery program began, thousands of robotic surgeries have been performed at Trinity.
The da Vinci surgical robot allows surgeons to operate through tiny openings – about the size of a dime. The surgeon uses a special console with hand and foot controls to move the robotic arms, which hold the instruments to operate. A small, 3D-HD camera helps surgeons see and perform intricate surgical procedures. The robot translates the surgeons' natural hand motions at the control console into corresponding movements of the robotic instruments.
Surgical (Bariatric) Weight Loss
Trinity Weight Management Specialists have been providing surgical weight loss solutions for more than 30 years. Our board-certified surgeons offer minimally-invasive and traditional surgical approaches to weight loss, with follow-up support to help you meet your goals.
