|
Penn Leads the Way in Robotic Surgery
For more than 200 years, Penn has expanded the frontiers of medicine. Today, surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) are leading the way in robotic-assisted surgery.
Penn is home to four daVinci® Surgical Systems making it one of the largest robotic-assisted surgical programs in the United States. The equipment has been used for some time in urologic/prostate procedures and cardiac surgery. More recently, UPHS surgeons have begun using the surgical system in gastro-intestinal and gynecological operations.
In addition, Penn surgeons have pioneered new procedures in head and neck surgery using the robotic-assisted technology. Penn is the only medical center in the world with an approved study to perform this surgery and more than 100 patients have benefited from transoral robotic surgery (TORS).
“The University of Pennsylvania Health System has a true, multi-specialty robotic surgery program,” according to Larry Kaiser, MD, Penn's surgeon-in-chief, “and Penn surgeons are performing more and a broader range of procedures than any other hospital or health system on the East Coast, and in many cases, the world.”
How it Works
Robotic-assisted surgery is like other minimally invasive surgery in that instruments and cameras are inserted through small incisions. What is different is that the surgeon sits at a console next to the patient.
The surgeon looks into a viewfinder at the three-dimensional, high-quality image sent back by the cameras and works the surgical “arms” using hand and foot controls.
The quality of the images and precise movement of the surgical arms essentially puts the surgeon right next to the area in which he or she is operating.
It is important to note that robotic-assisted surgery is performed by a surgeon — not a robot. The equipment is a tool for skilled surgeons, enhancing their ability to provide the best care for their patients. The success of robotic-assisted surgery depends on the skill and experience of the physicians, not the equipment.
Improved Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer
Advances in robotic surgery prompted Bert O'Malley, MD, and Gregory Weinstein, MD, co-directors of the Penn Center for Head and Neck Cancer of the department of otorhinolaryngology: head and neck surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, to look for ways to apply the technology to treating tumors of the mouth and throat.
Less Time & Better Results |
“With better access and better imaging, it is possible that the surgeries may be performed in less time with better cosmetic and functional results for the patient,” said Dr. Gregory Weinstein. |
|
Previous surgical treatments for cancer of the tongue, tonsil, voice box and throat involved making a large incision and usually caused patients a great deal of discomfort and scarring. Many patients had difficulty swallowing after the procedure and they often required extensive reconstructive cosmetic surgery.
As a result, Penn's surgeons developed the procedure called TORS. The arms of the surgical robot provide better access to small and often difficult to reach areas in the throat and mouth. Dr. Weinstein says that because of the small size and dexterity of the system's arms, the surgeon is able to see and operate as if he were standing right next to the tumor — no matter where it is located.
“With better access and better imaging, it is possible that the surgeries may be performed in less time with better cosmetic and functional results for the patient,” said Dr. Weinstein. Drs. Weinstein and O'Malley have performed the TORS procedure on over 100 patients and have found excellent preliminary outcomes. Both Drs. O'Malley and Weinstein have lectured worldwide on TORS.
Experience Counts
The field of robotic-assisted surgery is growing because of the many benefits to both patients and surgeons, but having an active program with experienced surgeons is the key to successful surgical results. Along with Drs. Weinstein and O'Malley, several UPHS surgeons are performing robotic-assisted surgery.
Robotic Prostatectomy |
David I. Lee, MD, chief of urology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, is one of the top five surgeons in the world performing robotic prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland). Fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery and an instructor in robotic-assisted surgery, he has performed more than 900 procedures. |
Minimally Invasive & Robotic Cardiac Surgery |
Y. Joseph Woo, MD, is director of the minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, one of 12 programs in the country participating in a study on the use of robotic-assisted surgery in cardiac procedures. One of the few surgeons in the country trained to perform robotically assisted coronary artery bypass surgery, Dr. Woo is considered to be an expert in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. |
Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery |
Noel Williams, MD, director of the bariatric surgery program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has begun using the robotic surgical system in performing minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. |
Robotic Gynecologic Surgery |
Mathew Beshara, MD and Sharon Byun, MD, of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania have expanded robotic-assisted surgery to include treating uterine fibroids and other uterine conditions. Both Drs. Beshara and Byun said the advent of robotically assisted surgery allows them to perform hysterectomies and myomectomies (fibroid removal) via minimally invasive surgery as opposed to traditional open abdominal procedures. |
|
Teaching the Next Generation
Besides providing the best in patient care, Penn surgeons are also using their expertise in robotic-assisted surgery to teach the next generation of surgeons. Access to four daVinci systems makes Penn one of the largest, state-of-the-art surgical training centers in the country and the only training center on the East Coast for the new surgical system.
|
