When Dalkeith G Facey, DO, recently completed his 1,000th robotic surgery at Phoenixville Hospital, the milestone was celebrated a little late.
“My first 150 cases weren’t logged in the system,” he said with a chuckle. “At the time, I didn’t realize the value of logging the cases.” It wasn’t until he reached about 950 procedures in January that he realized how close he was to the mark.
But the number itself isn’t what matters most to Dr. Facey. What matters is what those 1,000 surgeries represent for patients in the region: easy access to advanced, minimally invasive care close to home.
Dr. Facey, who joined Tower Health in December 2022 and practices at Tower Health Medical Group Surgery – Phoenixville, uses robotic technology to perform a wide range of procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder and appendix surgeries, and complex colon resections for conditions such as cancer and diverticulitis.
“Modern technology allows you to do a lot of things with minimal incisions,” he said.
In one of his most rewarding procedures – a colon resection for diverticulitis – Dr. Facey can remove up to 15 inches of colon using just four tiny incisions. The affected section is taken out through the rectum, avoiding large abdominal cuts.
“That’s a big difference for patients and their recovery,” he said.
What Robotic Surgery Really Means
Despite the name, robotic surgery does not mean a robot is operating on its own. That misconception is something Dr. Facey addresses with patients.
“I always explain that it’s not like putting a pizza in the microwave and pressing a button,” he said. “The robot is not doing the surgery. I’m doing the surgery. The robot is a tool that allows me to do it more safely and precisely.”
Robotic systems give surgeons a magnified, high-definition view of the surgical area along with instruments that can rotate and move in ways human wrists cannot.
“At first, that level of detail was intimidating,” Dr. Facey admitted. “You can see tiny blood vessels pulsating. So I slowed down.” Over time, his confidence grew, and so did his efficiency.
Today, procedures that once took 90 minutes can take 20. Gallbladder surgeries often take 20 minutes instead of an hour. Appendectomies can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes, without rushing.
“That precision prevents mistakes,” he said. “You avoid cutting blood vessels accidentally, which means less bleeding and fewer complications.”
For patients, the benefits are clear: smaller incisions, less pain, minimal scarring, and faster recovery. In some cases, patients go home the same day or within one or two days, rather than spending a week in the hospital.
Dr. Facey recalls a weekend call involving a patient with an incarcerated hernia that required bowel resection. Traditionally, that would have meant open surgery and a hospital stay of seven days.
“With the robot, I was able to do the same operation through three tiny incisions,” he said. “The patient went home the same day.”
Experience Matters
Performing a high volume of robotic surgeries benefits patients in another important way: experience.
“The less time a patient spends on the operating table, the better,” Dr. Facey said. “When you do this often, it becomes second nature, like riding a bike.”
That experience, combined with Tower Health’s infrastructure, makes advanced care accessible locally.
“These patients are very fortunate,” he said.
Dr. Facey began performing robotic surgery in 2017 after extensive simulator training, hands-on practice, and proctor-guided cases. Since joining Tower Health, he has been especially impressed by the system’s commitment to robotic care.
“Most hospitals don’t have robotic teams available nights and weekends,” he said. “Here, if I have a gallbladder case at 1 a.m., the team is ready. They know the technology. That 24/7 commitment is something I’ve never seen elsewhere.”
Looking Ahead, and Looking Back
As robotic technology continues to evolve, Dr. Facey sees even greater potential ahead, including improvements in instrument movement and the integration of artificial intelligence. While he believes surgery will always require human judgment, he expects technology to play a growing role in the next 20 years.
Still, after 1,000 cases, his motivation remains deeply personal.
“One of the most rewarding things is seeing patients two weeks later,” he said. “They come in smiling not knowing how sick they were before surgery.”
For Dr. Facey, that transformation is the real milestone.
“It’s been a journey,” he said. “Like a marathon, you pace yourself and do it right. The enjoyment is in the process, not just the finish line.”