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October
23, 2001
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MEDICAL
CENTER IS THE EAST COAST TRAINING CENTER FOR DAVINCI Hackensack University Medical Center has been training physicians, nurses and medical personnel in the use of the daVinci™ Surgical System. Since its approval by the FDA as the training facility for the entire region east of the Mississippi River, the medical center has given more than 70 training courses. “We’re very excited to have the daVinci™ Surgical System here at Hackensack University Medical Center,” said John P. Ferguson, president and chief executive officer. “We are proud of our designation as the Northeast training facility and look forward to introducing this new technology not only to our own patients but to other prestigious healthcare institutions, as well.” Renowned institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, and the University of Massachusetts have been part of the training classes. Other programs from Kyushu University in Japan to Ochner Clinic in New Orleans, as well as executives from the University of Pennsylvania have all made site visits. The medical center has two systems in operation. One is located in the main operating room and the other is located in the David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children and is used solely for training purposes. “This technology is like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Garth Ballantyne, M.D., director of Minimally-Invasive Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Traditional laparoscopic procedures can only provide you with a two-dimensional image and the instruments do not give you a full range of motion. daVinci™ changes everything.” With daVinci™ a surgeon sits at a control console which has a three-dimensional viewing system. This console slows 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. The system is being used to perform gall bladder removals (Cholecystectomy) and to surgically correct gastroesophogeal reflux, or heartburn (Nissen Fundoplication) and is now being used in coronary artery bypass procedures and prostate surgeries. Richard Davies, M.D. of Saddle River, chairman of the Department of Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center said daVinci™ opens up a world of possibilities for all of surgery. “The most exciting thing about this system is that it can be used to perform delicate procedures that we couldn’t do laparoscopically, previously,” said Dr. Davies. Before surgeons can begin to use daVinci™ they must complete a two-day FDA-approved course which includes a hands-on portion. Physicians and others learning to use the system at Hackensack University Medical Center also have an opportunity to speak with Dr. Ballantyne and other medical center experts. Hackensack University Medical Center performed more than 1,300 cardiac surgeries last year out of nearly 27,000 surgical procedures. Of the 27,000 surgeries, more than half, 16,632 were same day surgeries. For more information about daVinci™ at Hackensack University Medical Center call (201) 996-2959. |
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