As an academic medical center hospital, Northwestern Memorial's strong emphasis on medical education creates opportunities for physicians and patients alike to benefit from advanced technologies. Minimally invasive surgeries assisted by robotics can result in faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, less pain and scarring and less blood loss. Under the direction of veteran surgeons skilled in using the da Vinci® Surgical System, physicians-in-training learn the latest in robotic surgical techniques, which provide surgical options here primarily in urology and gynecologic oncology. Surgeons on the medical staff can complement their laparoscopic skills by gaining expertise in robotic medicine through various training opportunities at the Northwestern Center for Advanced Surgical Education (N-CASE). "The robot is particularly useful for operating in small areas where a great degree of fine detail work is done," said Nathaniel J. Soper, MD, who oversees N-CASE. "Particularly in urology, robotics is becoming the standard of care for some procedures and many medical students will not choose a residency program that does not include robotic training."
Related Links: Robotic Surgery | Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine | Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Previous Story | Next Story | Home
Medical resident Brad Erikson, MD, watched over the shoulder of Robert B. Nadler, MD, as he performed a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy on a patient with prostate cancer using the da Vinci Surgical System.
During the surgery, Dr. Nadler used his finger to electronically "draw" on a touch-screen as he taught the correct robotic surgical approach.
The arms of the da Vinci robot were manipulated remotely by the surgeon who used two hand controls and foot pedals.
With seven degrees of motion that mimic the dexterity of the human hand, the robotic arm and instruments allow surgeons to work in tight spaces that can be difficult to reach laparoscopically.
"It can take six to eight hours for a surgeon to complete a laparoscopic prostatectomy," said Dr. Soper. "That time is down to three to four hours using the robot."
Susan Campbell, a 59-year-old medical technician, allowed her robotic-assisted surgery for endometrial cancer to be videotaped for educational purposes and invited friends over to watch it with her online. Her recovery has gone well.
