Backus first in region to purchase surgical robot

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The William W. Backus Hospital is the first hospital in eastern Connecticut to purchase robotic surgical technology.

Backus has entered into an agreement to purchase, install and operate the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Initially, Backus will offer robot-assisted surgery as an option for prostate cancer patients. The device will have additional applications for gynecological, colo-rectal and general surgical procedures.

The da Vinci robot is a sophisticated new surgical tool that combines the latest advances in robotics and computer technology. Robot-assisted surgery is less invasive than traditional "open" surgeries, and offers a more convenient option for many patients.

"Backus is excited to be the leader in offering the latest healthcare options and surgical expertise in eastern Connecticut," said Thomas P. Pipicelli, Backus president and chief executive officer. "This is what the operating room of the future will look like - specially trained physicians and staff assisted by advances in technology and the precision of robotics."

The robotic system enhances surgeons' skills with computer technology, enabling them to see vital anatomical structures more clearly and perform even the most detailed surgical procedures more precisely.

The technology extends surgeons' capabilities by providing a three-dimensional view of the operating field and improving access to the surgical site through small instrument "ports" that eliminate the need for large incisions. The system also provides full freedom of movement at its instrument tips, allowing precise operation in a closed abdomen, pelvis or chest.

Dr. Casey McCullough, a Board-certified urologist on the Backus Medical Staff and the only physician in the region who is Fellowship-trained in robotic surgery, will perform prostate, kidney, and bladder procedures with the da Vinci. He was trained at L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris in Paris, which is renowned for its expertise in urological procedures.

"For most patients, the benefits of robotic prostatectomy over traditional prostate cancer surgery include shorter hospital stays, less pain, less risk of infection, less scarring and faster recovery of continence," Dr. McCullough said.

Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon can remove a cancerous prostate gland while seated at a console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The robot seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time manipulation of surgical instruments inside the patient.

Approximately 16 percent of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Common treatments for prostate cancer include surgical removal of the prostate gland, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, brachytherapy, and cryotherapy.

Installation and training on the da Vinci surgical robot is underway. This process is expected to take several weeks.

da Vinci® ... Changing the Experience of Surgery at The William W. Backus Hospital

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all of your medical options, including the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments available.

The da Vinci® Surgical System provides surgeons with an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy, putting a surgeon's hands at the controls of a state-of-the-art robotic platform. The da Vinci System enables surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision.

For the patient, benefits may include:

  • Significantly less pain
  • Less blood loss
  • Less scarring
  • Shorter recovery time
  • A faster return to normal daily activities
  • And in many cases, better clinical outcomes

da Vinci Prostatectomy

Facing any kind of urologic surgery creates a great deal of anxiety for most men. Among your concerns is: "Will my body function normally following surgery?" Traditional open urologic surgery - in which large incisions are made to access the pelvic organs - has been the standard approach when surgery is warranted. Yet common drawbacks of this procedure include significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and an unpredictable, potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.

da Vinci Surgery, a minimally invasive approach that utilizes the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, in which the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.

Learn More: Minimally invasive options for urologic surgery
Learn More: da Vinci Prostatectomy

Robotic surgery: the new standard for prostate cancer treatment

THE DISEASE

Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder).The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of the semen.

Approximately 16% of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime in their life. Treatment options and prognosis depend on the stage of the cancer, the Gleason score, and the patient’s age and general health. With greater public awareness, early detection is on the rise and mortality rates are declining.

Additionally,new advances in medical technology are enabling cancer patients to go on to live active and productive lives after their treatment. Consult with your doctor for advice on the options that are available to treat your specific condition.

THE SURGICAL TREATMENT: RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

One of the most common treatments for prostate cancer involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland, known as radical prostatectomy. Traditional radical prostatectomy requires a large, 8-10 inch incision. This open surgery commonly results in substantial blood loss,a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery and the risk of impotence and incontinence.

DA VINCI PROSTATECTOMY: A LESS INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a new, less-invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci Prostatectomy. This procedure incorporates a state-ofthe-art surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.

For most patients, da Vinci Prostatectomy offers numerous potential benefits over open prostatectomy including:

  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Less pain
  • Less risk of infection
  • Less blood loss and transfusions
  • Less scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Quicker return to normal activities

As with any surgical procedure, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, each surgery is specific to both the patient and the procedure.

THE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY: DA VINCI SURGICAL SYSTEM

The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology. The System allows your surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of microinstruments within the operative site.

The robot enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings. The robot cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. The da Vinci System requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon. The robot has been successfully used in thousands of prostate cancer procedures worldwide. 

da Vinci multimedia

To view a demonstration of da Vinci robotical surgery, click here.  

To view videos on the da Vinci robotic surgical system, click here.