Robotic Surgery Brings New Hope to Prostate Patients

The latest in minimally invasive surgery offers significant benefits over conventional surgery

ROSLYN, N.Y., March 27, 2006 — Long Island-native Bill Phelps, 65, a school bus driver in winter and lobsterman in summer, was living with the discomfort of an enlarged prostate for years. When his prostate specific antigen (PSA) level went up and a biopsy showed a small, localized cancer, Bill consulted several radiologists who recommended seed implantation and external radiation.

Looking for a quicker, more permanent solution, Bill's urologist, Howard S. Lynn, M.D., referred him to Felix L. Badillo, M.D., Chief of Urology at St. Francis Hospital, who explained the option of robot-assisted prostate surgery, the latest development in minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Badillo has performed more robot-assisted prostatectomies than any other Long Island surgeon.

Bill went home the day after his surgery and was back at work one week later. His PSA is negligible and he is now cancer-free. With no incontinence and just five small, diminishing scars, Bill recommends the procedure to anyone who requires prostate surgery, "My prostate procedure with the da Vinci® robot at St. Francis Hospital was remarkable. Absolutely no pain. I went home from the hospital on Sunday, and by Tuesday I was taking my dogs on a one-mile walk."

The da Vinci® Surgical System, which is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology, enables the performance of complex surgeries through small surgical incisions. Robotic surgery offers significant benefits over open prostatectomy including less blood loss, less post-operative pain, less risk of infection, faster recoveries and less scarring. Patients average one to two days in the hospital, compared with two to three days for conventional surgery.

The surgeon sits at a nearby console that features a video screen and maneuvers hand and foot controls to guide robotic arms that are inserted through small incisions into the patient. While grasping the controls, the surgeon's movements are translated into real movement by the robotic arms inside the patient.

One arm of the da Vinci robot is equipped with a tiny 3-D camera with a magnifying lens, and the three others hold surgical instruments. While open surgery requires a 10-inch incision, robotic surgery requires five ¼ -inch incisions, one for the camera and the other for surgical tools, so there is less blood loss, minimal potential for tissue damage and minimal scarring.

With a 3-D view that is magnified up to ten times, the surgeon has the ability to see and preserve surrounding nerves that are important to continence and sexual function.

"The robotic prostatectomy is a tremendous advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer. After more than 150 robotic prostatectomies, I am still impressed with how quickly patients recover, and with almost no discomfort," said Felix L. Badillo, M.D.

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center™ is New York State's only specialty designated cardiac center and is one of the five busiest heart centers in the United States. A recognized leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiac disease, St. Francis is the only hospital in the metropolitan area with risk-adjusted mortality rates significantly below the statewide average for heart valve and valve/coronary artery bypass surgery, the most challenging forms of common cardiac surgery.

St. Francis Hospital also offers a first-class program in non-cardiac surgery including some of the most advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques available for vascular, prostate, ear-nose-throat (ENT), and orthopedic surgery.

St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS). Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at http://stfrancisheartcenter.chsli.org.