State-of-the-Art Robotic Surgery Now Offered in Wooster--REVISED

  • By Lisa Amstutz
  • October 10, 2012
  • 337
                        
Cut, clamp, suture—it sounds like any other routine surgery in the OR. But there’s something different about this particular surgery. The spider-like arms working inside the patient are attached to a robot, and the surgeon appears to be playing a video game at a separate console, controlling the robotic arms while viewing a 3D image of the surgical site. This state-of-the-art procedure is known as robotically assisted surgery, and it is now available in Wooster thanks to Wooster Community Hospital’s new Da Vinci® Surgical System. The system can be used to perform minimally invasive cardiac, colorectal, general, gynecologic, head and neck, thoracic, and urologic surgeries. It provides the surgeon with the precision and control of a traditional, open surgery while utilizing only small (1-2 cm) incisions. Four interactive robotic arms hold miniaturized instruments and a camera. The surgeon inserts them into the patient’s body, then moves to a console where a magnified, high-definition 3D image offers superb visualization. This enhanced image is particularly helpful in fine surgeries such as cancer surgery, said Lori Hartzler, OR/Sterile Processing Manager at WCH. To perform the surgery, the surgeon manipulates a set of master controls that work like forceps. His or her hand, wrist and finger movements control precise micro-movements of the robotic instruments while staff monitor the patient. Although it may sound a little scary to have a robot performing surgery, there is actually nothing automated about it. “The robot is not actually doing the surgery—the surgeon drives the robot,” said urologist Juan Proano, M.D. “The surgeon is still the surgeon. The robot is a tool that allows us to do greater things without opening the patient up.” One advantage of the robotic equipment is consistency, Hartzler said. Because its moves are always the same, it eliminates the human factor. Using robotics can lead to a more comfortable recovery because the incisions are small and the machine provides even tension at the trocar sites. It is also more exacting because of the clear, 3D view, so less healthy tissue is removed. These factors may lead to faster recovery times. In addition, the wristed instruments can turn corners, allowing the surgeon to tackle more challenging tumors without having to open up the patient, Dr. Proano said. The robotic surgical system arrived at WCH in June and the first surgeries took place in August. “We needed to make sure our staff were all trained,” Hartzler said. “Da Vinci came in for a week of training and we traveled to other hospitals to observe them using the equipment. Then we did a number of dry runs to make sure we had everything in place.” Four surgeons in Wooster are currently using the equipment. “Dr. Proano was already doing these surgeries at another hospital and Dr. Vandevelde was already trained, which helped get our program up and running,” said Hartzler. “Dr. Shriner and Dr. Peabody are now also doing robotically assisted surgeries.” Requests from the surgeons spurred the purchase of the robotic system, said hospital CEO Bill Sheron. “Several years ago, Dr. Proano, who had just come to Wooster, asked if we would consider purchasing a surgical robot. These robots were becoming commonly used in his specialty, Urology, and he had trained on one of these devices. At the time, we really couldn't justify buying this equipment for the use of one physician but, perhaps a year later, we were approached by Dr. Vandevelde, who had recently come to Wooster and had also trained in robotically assisted surgery in her specialty (OB/GYN). When a third physician in a third specialty, Dr. Peabody, inquired, we felt we could have sufficient utilization to make such a purchase feasible. “Our feeling is that robotically assisted surgery has benefits for certain surgical procedures and patients, and many medical residency training programs are now offering it. As we looked into the future, and in keeping Wooster Community Hospital at the forefront of new medical technology, we felt that robotically assisted surgery would help us attract and retain surgical specialists going forward. We have also observed the trend across the nation that an increasing number of community hospitals, like WCH, offer this service,” said Sheron. “Patients who were previously going to other institutions to have robotically assisted surgery done can now have it done here in Wooster,” Hartzler noted. “Most places that have robotics are much larger hospitals—we’re very lucky to have it and to have physicians trained to use it!” To read more about robotically assisted surgery at Wooster Community Hospital, visit www.woosterhospital.org or call 330-263-8100.


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