 |
|
Brenda Newman, the 100th patient at CMC-University to undergo robotic-assisted surgery, poses with her gynecologist, Dr. David Newman (no relation) of Greater Carolina Women’s Center. |
I
Just one night in the hospital was all Brenda Newman, 44, needed before heading home after having a hysterectomy at Carolinas Medical Center-University on Feb. 6. With small bandages covering just a few very small incisions (less than one-half inch in length) and some over-the-counter ibuprofen to help with pain, Newman resumed normal activities at home with a few days and was washing windows within two weeks.
“I cannot believe I didn’t have this done earlier,” she said, reflecting on the laparoscopic surgery that resulted in the removal of her uterus and cervix. The mother of two, who is a registered nurse and works at Cannon School, is living proof that technology is changing patients’ lives, as well as their doctors’.
Newman’s surgery was the 100th daVinci robotic procedure at Carolinas Medical Center -University. Her doctor, David Newman, an obstetrician and gynecologist with Greater Carolina Women’s Center, worked the robotic arms from a console about 8 feet from the operating table.
“Right now, this technology is standard with urology (for prostatectomy, or removal of the prostrate gland),” said the physician. “GYN is just getting in on it. I believe within five years, every operating room in the country will have three to five of these robotic surgical systems.”
An investment to
benefit patients
“Women can get their problems resolved through a safer and less-painful method than was available three years ago,” said David Newman, the second physician in the Charlotte metro area trained to perform hysterectomy surgery using the daVinci robot. “What patients tell me the most is, ‘I can’t believe how good the recovery was.’ ”
Twelve hysterectomies are performed every 10 minutes in the United States, adding up to more than 600,000 surgeries each year, according to a report published by “Obstetrics and Gynecology.” Traditionally, a 6- to 8-inch incision results in major post-operative discomfort and pain, as well as several nights’ stay in the hospital.
“Recovery from a regular hysterectomy truly is six weeks, with two weeks of severe pain, two weeks of moderate pain and two weeks of mild pain,” said David Newman. The daVinci surgical system, however, provides the benefits of less pain, minimal or no blood loss, fewer complications, less scarring, a briefer hospital stay and a faster return to normal daily activities. “With this, it’s two weeks of mild pain,” he added.
Dr. Eric Panner of Copperfield OB/GYN in Concord was the first physician trained in daVinci hysterectomy surgery, and Dr. Bruce Taylor of Eastover OB/GYN also now offers the surgery in Charlotte.
After being trained last summer in Texas, David Newman became certified to teach other surgeons using the system and then taught two other physicians in his office. Last year, CMC-University established a daVinci robot surgical team.
“The administrators chose the robot team — O.R. personnel who wanted to advance their skills,” said David Newman. “These are A-game surgical nurses. You have to be very good to be on the robot team.”
Assisting the physician in the operating room during Brenda Newman’s surgery were surgical nurse and robotics coordinator Jerry Marsh, as well as nurses Cynthia Alojipane and Heather Claus. In addition, Dr. Susan Brown of Greater Carolina Women’s Center assisted.
“This does not cost a patient or her insurance company a penny more for me to operate this way than the traditional way,” said David Newman. “And I don’t get paid a penny more. … It’s an investment that the hospital has made to benefit patients and to remain at the cutting edge, but the cost isn’t passed on.”
Dexterity, flexibility
The daVinci surgical system features a mobile cart that is positioned next to the operating table with robotic arms, which are moved based on what the surgeon does at the console on the other side of the room. An attending physician is at the patient’s side to switch instruments. Several surgical nurses also are nearby.
The daVinci system provides 3-D vision in 10-time magnification. “The depth perception is just amazing,” said David Newman, who has performed 40 daVinci hysterectomy surgeries since last summer. With his hands and feet, the physician works the robotic arms/instruments that have the dexterity of a human hand. “The robot gives me incredible flexibility to move around scar tissue and other organs. The joints (of the robot) move like my wrist.”
He continued, “The system reduces a doctor’s chance of injuring the bladder, bowel or blood vessels, and it increases his or her chance of keeping the procedure a laparoscopic surgery for the patient. The benefits are huge for women.”
A lot of safety features are built into the system; for example, the instruments stop moving if the doctor moves his head away from where he is seated at the console. “The robot goes into freeze mode if I lift my head from the monitor,” said David Newman.
“When I first heard about it, I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh — a robot?’” said Brenda Newman. “But then I talked with Dr. Newman, and I went on the Internet and realized, ‘This is kind of cool.’”
The patient said she has told many friends about the surgery and how short-lived her pain and recovery time were. “Being a nurse, I know how painful things can be,” she said. “My mother, who came to help me after the surgery, even said to me, ‘I can’t believe you’re standing up like that so soon.’”