Celebrating daVinci Si: University of Louisville Hospital robotic surgery investment delivers innovative results
“The antibiotics weren’t working,” Stephens said. “I went to get a second opinion.”
That second opinion was a potential life saver; an ear nose and throat physician discovered cancerous lesions in his throat near his voice box. Stephens was referred to the specialists at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at UofL Health Care. The cancer was caught early, and Stephens became the first patient in Kentucky to benefit from an innovative surgery using the daVinci Si robotic surgery system.
In April, University of Louisville Hospital, UofL surgeons Jeffrey Bumpous, M.D., and Kevin Potts, M.D., opened the door to new possibilities in treating throat cancer by not opening up Mr. Stephens. Bumpous and Potts teamed up to complete the first daVinci TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) in the state of Kentucky and surrounding region.
The surgeons accessed the cancerous area through the throat and removed the cancerous tissue without any major incisions.
“As you can imagine, there is nowhere more important than the head and neck; it’s where we swallow, breath and speak.” Potts said. “To offer advanced precision and minimal impact to the body is a benefit to surgeons, but more importantly the patient.”
The TORS procedure is just one of the growing minimally invasive surgical options available at University of Louisville Hospital. The investment of $2.5 million in the daVinci Si HD is delivering consistent returns, both in the patient outcome and financial health. Since installing in October, 2009, the daVinci Si’s use is outpacing projections, exceeding two hundred surgeries through July of this year. That is 50 percent more than the projected number of surgeries.
Mark Pfeifer, M.D., chief medical officer for University of Louisville Hospital, said, “We anticipated a lot of interest, but the response is beyond our expectations. The patient advantages make the daVinci Si a very attractive surgical option.”
Combining Computer and Robotic Technologies
The advantage of the daVinci Si combines computer and robotic technologies with the skills of a surgeon. With tiny incisions (1-2 cm), surgeons can insert and control four robotic arms. The arms operate tiny instruments and allow greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced 3D High Definition imaging and improved access to the surgical site. It makes it possible to treat a broader range of conditions using the minimally invasive approach.
University of Louisville Hospital is currently using the daVinci Si for many areas, including:
• Bladder Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Gynecologic Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Throat Cancer
Brown Cancer Center Gynecological Oncologist, Michael Milam, M.D., said he recommends operations with the daVinci Si because, “It improves patient recovery, shortens hospital stays, leaves less scarring and delivers better overall outcomes.” Patients also benefit from less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, and a quicker return to normal daily activities.
One additional feature, and unique to the region, on the University of Louisville Hospital system, is its dual control stations. It allows two surgeons to work simultaneously on complex cases. Jeffrey Jorden M.D., a colorectal surgeon, said “the dual control daVinci Si technology provides surgeons with the enhanced ability to take our multidisciplinary collaborative approach in the operating room.”
New Possibilities
The daVinci Si continues to opens up new possibilities, like it did for Mr. Stephen’s throat cancer surgery. Previously, surgeons would have used long instruments, over one foot in length, which can magnify hand tremors. Older procedures also carry visibility limitations.
The daVinci Si eliminates those complications with smooth movements and a 3D HD camera, Bumpous said, “The daVinci puts the camera at site of the cancer and gives us the ability to see everything. It ultimately results in better outcomes for our patients.”
The morning after his surgery, Stephens already reported being able to speak better and he felt great, with no incisions. He went home to Paducah to continue his recovery saying, “I am just proud I found the doctors to help me. Now everything is going to be alright.”
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