St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Introduces New Minimally-Invasive

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Introduces New Minimally-InvasiveRobotic Surgery Program

World-renowned urologist Ingolf Arthur Tuerk, MD, PhD champions new program addressing prostate and gynecological cancers and women’s health issues

BOSTON — St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine, has developed a new minimally-invasive robotic surgery program for patients suffering from prostate and gynecological cancers and other gynecologic conditions that result in hysterectomies.  St. Elizabeth’s is Boston’s first and only community-based hospital to offer state-of-the-art minimally invasive robotic surgery.

The new program includes the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System, robotic technology designed to help improve surgical clinical outcomes and redefine standards of care.  As a result of minimally-invasive robotic surgery, patients may experience the following benefits: reduced trauma to the body, reduced blood loss and need for transfusions, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and return to normal daily activities and less scarring. In regards to robotic prostatectomy, patients can expect a superior outcome with preservation of urinary control and sexual function.

According to experienced robotic surgeon Ingolf Arthur Tuerk, MD, PhD, chief of urology at St. Elizabeth’s, robotic-assisted surgery has tremendous patient benefits.  “The improved outcomes and faster recovery make robotic-assisted surgery a better option than traditional ‘open’ surgery and even traditional laparoscopic surgery for many patients.  Currently, the St. E’s program is addressing several urological conditions including prostate, bladder and kidney cancer and gynecological cancers and other women’s health issues.  In the future, there are opportunities to expand surgical procedures to address other conditions.  By performing these procedures using robotic technology, our goal is to always minimize any discomfort and return our patients to their normal quality of life as quickly as possible.”

About Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Using the da Vinci Surgical System, state-of-the-art 3D HD endoscopy and robotic technology virtually extend the surgeon’s eyes and hands into 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.

Many surgical procedures performed today using standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using the da Vinci Surgical System.

Located on its Boston campus, the St. Elizabeth’s robotic surgery program also leverages the hospital’s newly renovated 11-room operating room suite.  To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery, visit St. Elizabeth’s at CaritasStElizabeths.org.

About Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center

Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is a major academic medical center affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine. Areas of medical excellence include cardiology and cardiovascular research, neurosciences, bariatric surgery, women’s health, high-risk obstetrics, bone and joint health, hematology/oncology, pulmonary medicine and gastroenterology. Caritas St. Elizabeth’s is a member of Caritas Christi Health Care, the second largest care system in New England. Visit St. Elizabeth’s online at CaritasStElizabeths.org.

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