need to add title here

Robots and Surgery

September 22, 2009 6:38 AM

Dr. Jennifer Ashton talks to Dr. William Burke about robotic surgery as a treatment option for gynecological cancer. Dr. Burke explains how he controls the robot and why he thinks the technology makes him a better surgeon.

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by VD2BYF8B December 8, 2010 10:27 AM EST
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer I began doing active surveillance, and taking holistic supplements that a well known urologist promotes. I believe this was a mistake on my part as my PSA went from 3.5 to 14.6 before I decided to have a robotic prostatectomy. I arrived at my decision partly because two acquaintances of mine had radiation, and both had significant complications. One of my colleagues recommended Dr. Samadi at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan. My surgery was successful; it began at 4:00 p.m. and was over by 5:40 p.m. I lost only 100 cc of blood during the operation. At 5:00 a.m. the next morning I was walking around the hospital, and was discharged later that morning at 11:30. The discomfort after surgery was less than I expected. After returning home I did not take Percocet which I had a prescription for; instead I relied on extra strength Tylenol. I did not have any noticeable bladder spasms. Since I am a retired high school music teacher and professional musician I began playing the saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano five weeks after surgery without discomfort. Except for some body scans which I had while doing active surveillance; I have not had any radiation. It has been slightly over 8 months now and my PSA is 0.01. Any side affects that I experience are minuscule.
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by Ordflyer September 23, 2009 12:25 AM EDT
What about the robot that does knee surgery??

There is a knee doctor in Ft. Lauderdale that uses a robot to help people that may not need a total knee replacement. They get rid of their pain and don't have to get a total knee replacement...
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by newsworthy8 September 22, 2009 11:57 PM EDT
Yes, I had prostrate cancer and surgery to remove my prostrate by this robotic method several yrs ago. Having a good surgeon means a lot by this method. I am 100% plesed with the outcome of my surgery. This method, (robotic) was relatively new in Las Vegas at the time. I placed all my faith in the surgeon and God.
I did a lot of research after my surgeon explained everything and he stated I was a ideal canditate for the robotic method of surgery.
I had surgery Saturday afternoon about 5pm, which took about 5hrs.I went to recovery in the pm, then to a room, slept till the morning and had something to eat and was booted out at noon. Back to work in a week feeling relatively good. The procedure is great but like all prostrate cancer surgeries or cures there remains problems. I also choose to have radiation on the suggestion of my doctor which I feel may have caused some inside damage. A little cookking here and there.
It has been near 7 yrs, I am alive and well and very satisified.Radiation was an insurance policy to catch any stray cancer cells if they where there. The Da Vinci method is awesome, and likewise the surgeons who perform the surgery.
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by yarnplay September 22, 2009 5:19 PM EDT
CBS needs to do more homework instead of hopping on any old medical band wagon. The DaVinci robotics can double and triple the time of surgery and create severe complications either from the length of surgery or the lack of adequate training for the doctors. These include infections, incontinence, and nerve damage.

The units are expensive and the hospitals want to use them, but in reality for gynecological surgeries, especially for advanced cases, they are just not suitable.

You don't have to believe me, check out your competitive news services; one just wrote an article exposing the fact that only 20% of the mds trying use the robotics are adequately trained and the device maker does not want to set standards.
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