February 20, 2008

Carle Foundation Hospital acquires state-of-the-art robotic technology da Vinci Surgical System® allows for complex procedures through tiny incisions

February 20, 2008 

Carle Foundation Hospital has acquired state-of-the-art robotic technology that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions, providing multiple benefits to the patient. This keeps with the Hospital's commitment to be a world-class innovator in providing exceptional patient care.

The da Vinci Surgical System® uses a minimally invasive approach that extends the surgeon's eyes and hands into the surgical field providing high definition, three-dimensional views of tissue and anatomy. With da Vinci, patients often experience a smaller incision, less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and an earlier return to full activities compared to laparoscopic and open surgery.

"Carle Foundation Hospital continues to build upon its mission of improving the health of our community by providing compassionate, patient-centered health care coupled with state-of-the-art medical treatment," said James C. Leonard, MD, president and CEO of The Carle Foundation. "The da Vinci robot is one example of how we continue to pursue cutting-edge treatments for our patients. We've only started to explore all the capabilities of this system."

Initially at Carle Foundation Hospital, the da Vinci will be used in urological and gynecological procedures, including prostatectomies, hysterectomies and myomectomies. Carle Clinic physicians who initially will perform these procedures are Nancy Fay, M.D., who is board certified in obstetrics/gynecology; and Richard Wolf, M.D., and Ronald Konchanin, M.D., who are board certified in urology.

Unlike standard laparoscopic surgery, which utilizes one camera and limits the surgeon's vision to a two-dimensional view, the da Vinci robotic consists of two, high-resolution fiber optic cameras that produce a true, three-dimensional color picture. This provides better visualization of the surgical area due to magnification and improved depth perception. The system is designed to enable complex procedures through 1-2 centimeter incisions.

"The da Vinci system provides greater than twice the viewing resolution and 20 percent more viewing area than other minimally invasive surgical techniques," said Reed Panos, M.D., chief of the department of surgery at Carle Foundation Hospital, and medical director of surgical services for Carle Clinic Association. "This means improved detail and clarity, which is critical when performing delicate dissection or reconstructive procedures."

The da Vinci system consists of a surgeon's console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms and a high-definition vision system. The surgeon operates the system while seated at a console viewing a three-dimensional image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.

"Since this is our exciting first step into the use of robotics, we want the public to understand that this robotic system cannot make decisions nor can it perform any type of movement or maneuver without the surgeon's direct involvement," said John Snyder, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Carle Foundation Hospital. "The surgeon always has complete control during a da Vinci procedure."

Many surgical procedures performed today using standard laparoscopic technique is performed quicker and easier using the da Vinci Surgical System. This is because the da Vinci delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery.