Hackensack University Medical Center is now utilizing the daVinci™ Surgical System during coronary artery bypass procedures. daVinci™ allows a surgeon to use a one-of-a kind 3-D vision system to manipulate robotic arms and an endoscope to perform intricate surgical procedures. The first case performed on April 2 was not only the first general surgical case in New Jersey performed with daVinci™, it was the first robotic cardiac procedure, as well. The medical center acquired the daVinci™ system in November of 2000. 

While the medical center has been using daVinci™ to perform procedures in the abdomen since last year, coronary artery bypass surgery is the next step in the integration of this unique system. John Alexander, M.D. of Ridgewood, chief of Cardiac Surgery at the medical center performed the first robotic cardiac procedure in New Jersey. This important step moves the medical center towards a tomorrow where coronary artery bypass surgery will be performed entirely in a minimally-invasive manner.

Dr. Alexander utilized daVinci™ to free the internal mammary artery to bypass the patient’s clogged coronary artery during the surgery. With daVinci™, a surgeon sits at a control console which has a three-dimensional viewing system. This console allows the surgeon to position three robotic arms and precisely maneuver endoscopic instruments and an endoscope, and a variety of articulating EndoWrist™ Instruments. The EndoWrist™ Instruments are unique in that they are able to move 360 degrees, mimicking a surgeon’s own wrists – a technique not available with traditional laparoscopic surgery instruments.

“This technology is like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Richard Davies, M.D. of Saddle River, chairman of the Department of Surgery. “It will open up a world of possibilities for all types of surgery.”

Dr. Davies said like with any minimally invasive surgery the benefits – a shorter stay, a quicker recovery time – are directly translated to the patient.
“We are only one of a handful of hospitals that have integrated this new technology into our surgery departments,” said Garth Ballantyne, M.D. director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at the medical center. “In fact, Hackensack University Medical center has been designated by the FDA to train personnel from other hospitals for the entire Eastern seaboard who will be acquiring the system for both general and cardiac surgery. ”

daVinci™ is currently located in the medical center’s main operating room. Another system is located in the David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children and is used solely for training purposes.

For more information about daVinci™ at Hackensack University Medical Center call (201) 996-2959.