THIBODAUX, LA, September 24, 2012 - A surgical team at Thibodaux Regional
Medical Center performed their first
da Vinci®
Single-Site™ Cholecystectomy recently. The patient’s gallbladder was removed
through one tiny incision in the belly button, making the procedure virtually
scar less.
Led by Dr. Barry Landry, general surgeon, the team removed the gallbladder usingSingle-Site™ instruments on a
da Vinci® System. The minimally invasive procedure is traditionally called a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder). Using robotic assistance,
surgeons removed the gallbladder through an incision of approximately one inch.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared the specialized
Single-Site instruments for use with the
da Vinci System in December 2011.
da Vinci is a robotic surgical system widely used in complex minimally invasive surgery.
In 2007, Thibodaux Regional was the only hospital in the Bayou Region and
one of 600 centers in the world who acquired the da Vinci Robotic Surgical
System, a state-of-the-art minimally-invasive tool used to treat patients
via robotic-assisted surgery,” stated Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux
Regional. “Today, we remain at the forefront of minimally-invasive
robotic surgery by acquiring this next generation system.”
"Neither robotic surgery nor single-incision surgery is new, but combining
the two to remove the gallbladder requires additional training and special
equipment," says Dr. Landry. "To be one of the first hospitals
to offer this technically advanced surgery demonstrates Thibodaux Regional’s
leadership in providing patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive
surgical options."
“Single-Site instruments used with the
da Vinci platform are the next step in the evolution of surgical technologies,”
Dr. Landry said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the
surgical treatment of tomorrow.”
Potential benefits of
Single-Site gallbladder surgery may include virtually scar less results, minimal pain,
low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient
satisfaction. The surgery can be performed in about one hour with a typical
hospital stay of less than 24 hours.
Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions,
this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where
instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.
Many people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the robotic,
single-incision surgery. According to the American College of Surgeons,
surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder pain from gallstones
and non-functioning gallbladders.
More than 1 million people in the U.S. have their gallbladder removed each
year. Most are performed with traditional laparoscopy using several incisions.
Thibodaux Regional Health System offers various types of robotic-assisted
surgeries. In addition to gallbladder removal, surgeons perform robotic-assisted
surgery in gynecology and urology. Thibodaux Regional also offers a wide
range of minimally invasive conventional laparoscopic surgeries.
For information on robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries at Thibodaux
Regional Medical Center call 985.435.4870 or visit
www.thibodaux.com.