Robotic surgery available at United
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Robotic surgery sounds like something out of a good science fiction novel. But this revolutionary technology is not a futuristic dream but a reality at United Hospital.
The da VinciŪ Surgical System from Intuitive SurgicalŪ became available to patients at United Hospital in March 2007. The robotic surgery device allows physicians to perform laparoscopic and some complex surgeries more accurately and less invasively than traditional surgical methods.
Only about 600 robotic systems are currently being used in the United States. At United Hospital, the system is being used in prostate surgery, hysterectomies and myomectomies.
A robotic device is simply a mechanical tool that is capable of interacting with the environment; it gives feedback via sensors to the operator who can then send instructions back to the device.
For prostate cancer surgery, for instance, it is traditional to make one large incision to remove the organ. With the da Vinci device, the physician makes several, small incisions, through which is fed a tiny camera and special surgical tools. The camera sends images back to the physician who can view them on a 3D monitor. The physician then can make surgical decisions based on what is shown and send these decisions back through the device to be carried out.
In addition to improved accuracy, some studies have shown a reduction in impotency and incontinence in patients.
Other benefits of robotic surgery include less:
- blood loss
- trauma
- pain and discomfort
- risk of infection
- hospital time
- overall recovery time
- scarring
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Physicians
Obstetrics / gynecology 
Patricia Chang, MD
Eric J. English, MD
Ron Mjanger, MD
O. Burcin Ozel, MD
Urology
Todd D. Brandt, MD
Robert A. Gaertner, MD
Christopher J. Knoedler, MD
Peter D. Sershon, MD
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United da Vinci surgery on national TV
Dr. Eric English and his patient, Bobbi Bade were recently featured on the new national talk show, The Doctors.
The Doctors discusses topical medical issues and features interesting cases from across the nation.
The Bade-English case drew The Doctors' interest because of Bobbi's personal story dealing with infertility and pain, and because of the use of the da Vinci robot to repair and unblock Bobbi's fallopian tubes.
A TV crew videotaped the surgery in United Hospital's da Vinci suite on Sept. 16. Last week, Bobbi and Dr. English flew to Los Angeles to tape the show with the four physician-hosts of the The Doctors program.
They answered questions about Bobbi's medical case and how the da Vinci robot provided the best possible chance, not only to relieve Bobbi's pain, but possibly restore fertility.
English says The Doctors were particularly interested in the technology.
"I told them 'This is the future' not just for my specialty, but for so many other areas of medicine," English said. "We said that this is a device that will have uses that we haven't even considered, yet. For my patients, we're able to bring natural fertility back into the picture for women who would otherwise be hysterectomy patients."
English said, for himself and Bobbi, being flown out to California to do the show was also a lot of fun.
See Bobbi's story
Surgical Care Center United Hospital hosts live webcast of robotic treatment for uterine fibroids
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