Southeast Missouri Hospital has an exciting new surgical tool that will benefit many men with prostate cancer who undergo a radical prostatectomy. Southeast is the third hospital in Missouri and the first community hospital in the state to offer robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. There are fewer than 400 da Vinci systems nationwide.

Using da Vinci, board certified urologic surgeons from Cape Girardeau Urology Associates can surgically remove the prostate gland with a magnified, three-dimensional view of the prostate more detailed than is possible with the human eye alone.

Gregg S. Hallman, M.D., primary da Vinci surgeon, and J. Russell Felker, M.D., assisting surgeon, are excited about the advantages the da Vinci system offers men.

“Patients these days are very savvy as far as their health is concerned,” says Dr. Hallman.

“When it comes to prostate surgery, men are looking at it not only from a recuperation standpoint, but from the standpoint of choosing the surgical method that’s most likely to enhance their ability to be disease free.”

Click here to learn more about da Vinci and prostate cancer

Men who are candidates for surgery using the da Vinci system are those whose cancer is confined to the prostate, Dr. Hallman says. The da Vinci may not be appropriate for patients with prior extensive abdominal surgeries.

In the Operating Room

When the da Vinci system is in use, the surgeon sits at a viewing console several feet away from the operating table and manipulates the robot’s surgical instruments. The robot has three arms attached to a free-standing cart. One arm holds a camera (endoscope) that has been passed into the patient’s abdomen through a small opening. The surgeon controls the other two arms by inserting his fingers into rings while seated at the console.

The arms use a technology called EndoWrist® – flexible wrists that surgeons can bend and twist like human wrists to allow increased dexterity, maneuverability and precision. The surgeon uses hand movements and foot pedals to control the camera, adjust focus and reposition the robotic arms. The da Vinci has a three-dimensional lens system, which magnifies the surgical field up to 15 times. The assisting surgeon stays beside the patient, adjusting the camera and instruments if necessary.

The da Vinci system requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from the surgeon. The system cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. It is the only such device to be cleared by the FDA for prostatectomies.

Patient Benefits

For most patients, the da Vinci prostatectomy offers numerous potential benefits over open prostatectomy. These include five or six pinpoint incisions compared to the large, eight to 10-inch incision required for open surgery, a shorter hospital stay, less blood loss and pain, fewer complications and a faster return to normal activities.

And with this new technology, prostate surgeons are better able to avoid muscles and nerves that control sexual function and urination, potentially lowering a man’s post-surgical risk of impotence and incontinence.

Though currently in use at Southeast only for prostate gland removal, the da Vinci® Surgical is expected to be used in future applications as well.

Did You Know?

The da Vinci®  Surgical System, manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, got its name in part because Leonardo da Vinci invented the first robot. He also used unparalleled anatomical accuracy and three-dimensional details to bring his masterpieces to life.

Learn more at da Vinci Surgery's new Web Site