SOURCE: OR-Live, Inc.

 

New outpatient procedure permits return to normal activities within 48 hours

ST PAUL, MN--(Marketwire - August 14, 2008) - Allina Hospitals & Clinic patients have another option to consider when faced with the need for surgery. Surgeons at United Hospital are using a new robotic system called the da Vinci S® Surgical System to perform a variety of procedures including prostate surgery, hysterectomies and myomectomies (removal of uterine fibroids).

With the da Vinci S® device, the surgeon is actually seated a few feet away from the patient at a console. The console controls robotic arms holding a tiny camera and special surgical tools. These instruments operate through several small incisions. The camera sends images back to the surgeon who sees them on a 3D monitor. The surgeon makes decisions based on what is shown and sends surgical directions back through the device to be carried out.

According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 25 percent of women have uterine fibroids, the most frequent pelvic tumors seen by gynecologists. They can be treated through medication, hormone therapy or surgery. The da Vinci is the most advanced surgical technique for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Using this approach, many women can avoid more invasive surgery and return home sooner after their surgery.

"For many patients, a robotic myomectomy is the way to go when choosing a surgical approach for the removal of fibroid tumors," said Ragnvald Mjanger, MD. "This robot is technically an extension of my hands.

"I can physically take out a large tumor with very little damage to the tissue surrounding the tumor. Patients get outstanding surgical results with minimally invasive techniques thanks to the da Vinci S®."

"We're excited about using robotic technology to treat cases like uterine fibroids," said Dan Foley, MD, vice president, Medical Affairs, United Hospital. "It's important to provide the best options available when caring for patients. This robotic option allows our patients to resume normal activities within one to two days."

Benefits of robotic surgery include:

--  Increased surgical precision
--  Reduced trauma
--  Reduced blood loss
--  Less post-operative pain
--  Shorter hospital stay
--  Faster recovery and return to activities
--  Less scarring
    

About 65,000 women undergo myomectomies each year in the United States; many of these women are of childbearing age. The reduced trauma and increased surgical precision are "very important for women who want the ability to have children in the future," says Magnusson.

United Hospital, the largest hospital in the Twin Cities east metro area, is a not-for-profit hospital providing a full range of health care services to more than 200,000 people each year. United offers a wide range of health services including a birth center, cardiac care in the Nasseff Heart Center, emergency care, oncology, orthopedics, neurosciences and epilepsy, a pain center, rehabilitation, medical imaging and surgery.

United Hospital is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics, home care and hospice services, oxygen and equipment, pharmacies, and emergency medical transportation services. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.

da Vinci® is a registered trademark of Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG)

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