Thompson On-Air’s pilot episode takes listeners inside the world of robotic surgery with master surgeon Joseph A. Talarico, MD, F.A.C.S., Chief of Surgery at F.F. Thompson Hospital and president of the medical staff. Dr. Talarico explores what robotic-assisted surgery is, how it differs from traditional and laparoscopic approaches, and why it often means smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to normal activity.​ Dr. Talarico explains how he uses the robot for many hernia, gallbladder, and colon cancer procedures, describing the robot as an extension of the surgeon’s hands rather than an autonomous machine. He addresses common misconceptions, outlines when robotic surgery is and isn’t appropriate, and emphasizes shared decision-making, detailed counseling, and careful use of non-opioid pain control to support safer recoveries.​ Drawing on roughly 3,000 robotic cases, Dr. Talarico discusses how the technology has advanced, how it improves precision and consistency, and why patients travel from across the country and even internationally to Thompson’s community-based hospital and Hernia Center of Excellence for robotic care.

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