SOURCE: OR-Live, Inc.

March 13, 2008 10:43 ET

ORLive Presents: Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Live Webcast: From Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: March 26, 2008 at 12:00 PM EDT (16:00 UTC)

WINSTON-SALEM, NC--(Marketwire - March 13, 2008) - Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. When diagnosed and treated early, it is highly curable.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, is a National Cancer Institute-designated Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence. This offers patients access to specialty-trained urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and clinical trials to provide patients with the best treatment for their particular form of prostate cancer.

On Wednesday, March 26th, at Noon, Ashok K. Hemal, MD, director of the Robotic and Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery Program at Wake Forest Baptist, and one of the surgeons who has pioneered urologic robotic surgery throughout the world, will perform a robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy during a live webcast on www.OR-Live.com.

The prostate gland is in a delicate location in the male reproductive system just below the urinary bladder and is surrounded by important nerves for sexual function. Surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) is one of the treatment options for early-stage prostate cancer. Surgical removal requires great care to maximize the chance for cure and to preserve continence and sexual function.

The technique of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a less invasive method for removal of the prostate, resulting in less blood loss and quicker recovery as compared to the traditional open surgery. It also has excellent functional outcome. The robotic assistance allows use of centimeter-sized, wristed instruments in a 3-dimensional view with 10-fold magnification in a narrow space, where the prostate is located.

Hemal has been closely associated with developing the initial surgical protocols currently used by most urologists performing robotic surgery. A. Karim Kader, MD, PhD, one of the surgeons who directs the urologic cancer service at the Department of Urology at Wake Forest Baptist, will narrate the procedure and take questions from Internet viewers. Kader, who specializes in urologic oncology, is the lead surgeon in several national and international clinical trials on the management and outcome of prostate cancer. He performs robotic and laparoscopic surgery for urologic malignancies.

Patients interested in this procedure can call (866) 511-1932.

About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It is licensed to operate 1,154 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report.

Visit: http://www.or-live.com/WFUBMC/1997 to learn more and view a program preview.

VNR: http://www.or-live.com/rams/waf-1997-mkw-q.ram