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Robots
in the Operating Room
Florida Hospital is the First in Central
Florida to Provide Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Radical Prostatectomy
May 25, 2004 - Orlando, FL - It sounds like a scene from a science fiction movie… a four-armed robotic-assisted device performing surgery on human patients. But it's no movie, it's the latest surgical revolution available at Florida Hospital that is changing the way doctors and patients look at surgery.
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Physician at Console |
The new robotic-assisted surgery system, called the da Vinci Surgical System, is now being used in radical prostatectomy, or prostate removal surgery, at Florida Hospital. The new procedure offers potential benefits including a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less blood loss and transfusions, and faster recovery for some prostate cancer patients compared to open prostatectomies, which require a larger incision.
"Robotic-assisted surgery is revolutionizing the way surgery is performed," said Dr. Charles Witten, chairman of the urology department at Florida Hospital. "The benefit to the patient is that robotic-assisted surgery reduces bleeding, requires minimal incisions, and yields quicker recovery times."
The da Vinci Surgical System now being used at Florida Hospital consists of an ergonomically designed surgeon's console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-performance vision system, and proprietary EndoWrist® Instruments. The System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology. It allows a surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered, and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions.
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Patient Side Arm |
"The da Vinci Surgical System provides greater surgical precision which may lead to a reduced rate of complications like impotence and incontinence, enabling cancer survivors an increased quality of life sooner after their treatment." said Dr. Witten.
Approximately 16% of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States this year. The most common treatments for prostate cancer are surgery and radiation.
Traditional open radical prostatectomies generally require 8-10 inch incisions and can result in substantial blood loss, a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery, and the risk of impotence and incontinence. The smaller incisions and greater precision that are possible with the da Vinci Surgical System reduces the risk of complications.
The da Vinci Surgical System is part of the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute's (FHCI) Prostate Cancer Program. The FHCI treats more newly diagnosed cancer patients than any other health system in Florida. "The da Vinci Surgical System is another example of how the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is at the forefront of cancer treatment. This gives us another weapon to fight prostate cancer and makes the FHCI Prostate Cancer Program even more comprehensive for our patients," said Dr. Robert Sollaccio, medical director of radiation oncology at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute. The FHCI is dedicated to providing prostate cancer patients and their loved ones with prompt and easy access to the information needed to make informed treatment choices. For more information on the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer Program visit www.floridahospital.com.
The da Vinci Surgical System is also FDA approved for other surgical applications.
Florida Hospital has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of the top hospitals in the nation for Urology.
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This release
is located on the Internet at: http://www.floridahospital.org/