Community Medical Center Now Offers Robotic-Assisted Surgery Around the Clock

Patients requiring urgent or emergency surgery can now benefit from the same advanced, minimally-invasive technology once reserved for scheduled procedures.

Community Medical Center in Missoula has expanded its robotic-assisted surgery program to provide 24/7 coverage, giving patients access to high-precision, minimally-invasive procedures for urgent and emergent surgical needs at any hour. Includes procedures such as appendicitis, emergent hernia repair, inflamed gallbladder, intestinal perforation or obstruction, emergent colorectal surgery, and more. Community is currently the only hospital in the area with a dedicated robotics team available around the clock for minimally-invasive procedures.

How Robotic-Assisted Surgery Works

The da Vinci Surgical System does not operate on its own — the surgeon remains in full control throughout the procedure, using the robotic system as an advanced surgical tool. The technology translates the surgeon's hand movements into precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient's body, allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions with enhanced precision, control and visualization.

Why 24/7 Access Matters

Previously, patients needing urgent or emergent surgery outside of regular hours might not have had access to robotic-assisted options. Now, that care is available whenever it's needed — without delays or the limitations of alternative surgical approaches.

The benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include:

• Smaller incisions
• Less tissue trauma
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery times
• Improved cosmetic outcomes

A Growing Investment in Robotic Technology

The expanded 24/7 availability is part of Community Medical Center's ongoing investment in advanced surgical technology. Last year, the hospital added a second da Vinci robot to increase capacity and meet growing demand in the community. The hospital has also introduced robotic-assisted spine surgery and robotic-assisted knee surgery, further expanding its robotic surgical capabilities.

That investment is paying off in patient demand: in the first half of this year, Community Medical Center saw a roughly 57% increase in robotic-assisted surgical cases — a clear sign of the growing need for, and confidence in, this advanced technology across the region.