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Robotically-Assisted Surgery for Prostate Cancer and Cardiac Surgery

The da Vinci® surgical robotics system (Click for larger image) As a regional referral hospital, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center pioneers advanced new treatments, like the area's first robotically-assisted surgery for prostate cancer and select cardiac surgeries. The da Vinci® robotics system lets a surgeon work with incredible accuracy, while minimizing the impact to the body. From a patient's standpoint, that means better surgical precision, fewer complications, and less discomfort after surgery. Robotically-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, incorporating techniques that allow a surgeon to operate through several small incisions about the size of a dime. The da Vinci® system integrates a surgeon's skill with the latest advancements in robotics and computer-enhanced technology. The system consists of several components: a console where the surgeon is seated, a patient-side cart, the robotics instruments, and image processing equipment. Urology    Dr. Jeff Flickinger (at console) and Dr. Wayne Hatfield prepare for a radical prostatectomy using robotically-assisted surgical technology. (Click for larger image) Whereas a traditional, open prostatectomy involves several days of hospitalization and risk of complications to surrounding organs, nerves, and tissues; the pinpoint accuracy of surgical robotics minimizes complications and generally requires only a brief hospital stay with less post-operative discomfort. How does the robotics technology work? According to Jeff Flickinger, MD, a Fort Sanders urologist, the system copies hand movements. "The robot can't be programmed, the physician manipulates four different instrument arms by moving his or her hands, wrists, and fingers" says Dr. Flickinger. "The monitor shows a three dimensional view of the prostate and the physician can move any one of the instrument arms to get to the prostate without disrupting surrounding tissue." "This is a great improvement over current techniques," adds Wayne Hatfield, MD, a urologist and partner of Dr. Flickinger. "I have no doubt this represents the future of surgery. Currently about 10 percent of prostatectomies are robotic, and we expect that number to rise in the future. It's a great option to give to our patients," says Dr. Hatfield. Cardiac Surgery    Dr. Lacy Harville, cardiovascular surgeon at Fort Sanders Regional, seated at the console which allows him to manipulate the robotic arms by moving his fingers, hands and wrists. (Click for larger image) The robotics technology is also available to cardiovascular surgeons who can perform procedures such as repairing faulty heart valves laparoscopically rather than through an incision and subsequent opening of the patient's chest. "Our patients will recover much more quickly and with fewer complications," says Lacy Harville, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon at Fort Sanders. Dr. Harville says the technology will be particularly beneficial for patients undergoing mitral valve procedures, but "this is just the tip of the iceberg of what we will eventually be able to do in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery." The robotics technology is housed at Fort Sanders Regional, but physicians from other Covenant Health facilities have been trained on the equipment. Physician Credentialed in Robotically-Assisted Prostate Cancer Surgery Urology Associates Newland Professional Building 2001 Laurel Avenue, Suite 502 Knoxville, TN 37916 (865) 522-6005 William Muse, M.D. Jeff Flickinger, M.D. R. Wayne Hatfield, M.D. Knoxville Urology Clinic 9330 Park West Blvd., Suite 104 Knoxville, TN 37923 (865) 690-3811 Garrett Lischer, M.D. Christopher Harris, M.D. T. Preston Shepherd, M.D.