Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Brings World-Class Robotic Precision Home to New Jersey

For years, the thought of needing highly specialized reconstructive surgery often came with an added stress: a trip across the Hudson River into Manhattan. The best tools and the most advanced procedures sometimes meant traffic, tolls, and the hassle of leaving the state.

But that's all changing.

Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center has just become the first hospital in New Jersey to acquire and use the Symani® Surgical System from MMI, a robotic microsurgery platform, and a revolutionary tool that is transforming the future of healing. For residents of New Jersey, this means access to cutting-edge care is now available just around the corner - at the #1 hospital in the New York/ New Jersey Metro area and a Top 20 hospital nationally and for clinical excellence, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What is Robotic Microsurgery?

Imagine a surgeon needing to perform a delicate breast reconstruction after cancer treatment, or even reattach a severed finger. These procedures require tremendous precision. The surgeon must meticulously suture together blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that are often as thin as the tip of a pencil. thinner than a single strand of human hair.

No matter how skilled and steady a surgeon’s hands are, they are still human. Natural tremors and fatigue can be limiting factors in this microscopic world. This is where the Symani system steps in.

Symani is not a robot that performs surgery on its own. Instead, it’s a sophisticated system that acts as an extension of the surgeon’s own hands. The surgeon sits at a comfortable console, and their hand movements are translated by the robot’s arms into perfectly steady, tremor-free motions at a submillimeter level. This allows them to stitch with sutures thinner than a hair, achieving a level of accuracy that pushes beyond the limits of the human hand.

The excitement among the hospital’s team of plastic surgeons is palpable. After undergoing extensive training on the new system, they are eager to bring its benefits to their patients.

“The Symani system is a game-changer for reconstructive surgery,” says Richard M. Winters, MD, Chair of Plastic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “It takes what we can do with our hands and elevates it to a level of precision that was previously unimaginable. When you are working on a vessel that is less than a millimeter wide, every tiny movement counts. This stability allows us to perform the most delicate repairs with greater confidence, which translates directly to better results and faster, more successful recoveries for our patients.”

A Major Investment in the Community

The hospital's leadership recognized that the incredible skill required for traditional microsurgery also came with inherent risks. By investing in the Symani system, they are providing their world-class surgeons with a tool that enhances their abilities and directly improves patient safety and outcomes.

More stability and precision mean fewer complications, such as poorly healing wounds or tissue rejection, and a significantly higher success rate for these life-changing procedures.

“At Hackensack University Medical Center, our standard is to deliver the future of medicine to our community today,” said Lisa K. Tank, MD, MBA, FACP, President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack University Medical Center.Pioneering the use of the Symani Robotic Microsurgery System in New Jersey is a clear demonstration of that commitment. This isn't just an investment in a machine; it's an investment in our world-class surgeons and, most importantly, in achieving superior outcomes for our patients. We believe the best care should be accessible, not a destination, allowing our patients to heal in a familiar and supportive environment.”

The robotic system is housed in Hackensack’s state of the art Helena Theurera Pavilion, a 9 story surgical tower where the nation's leading surgeons leverage next-generation technologies, like this, to set a new standard in patient outcomes.

What This Means for You

For patients, the benefits are clear and profound:

• Smaller Incisions and Less Scarring: The robot’s precision allows for less invasive techniques.
• Less Pain and Faster Recovery: Better surgical outcomes mean the body can heal more quickly.
• Higher Success Rates: Enhanced precision in reconnecting tiny vessels and lymphatics leads to better function and tissue survival.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that the most advanced technology is being used for your care, close to home.

With the Symani system now in place, Hackensack University Medical Center isn't just keeping pace with medical innovation; it's setting a new standard for patient care in New Jersey, proving that the future of healing is steady, precise, and right here at home.

For more information or to find a provider, visit: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/plastic-surgery or call 844-HMH-WELL.