New technology makes operations less painful, more successful
Posted: Feb 14, 2012 7:05 AM CST
Updated: Feb 28, 2012 7:05 AM CST
By Chris Oberholtz, Multimedia Producer – email
By Nima Shaffe, News Reporter – email
Dr. Niazy Selim is a surgeon at KU Med, and he removed the mayor’s gallbladder.
KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) –
The University of Kansas Hospital is the only hospital in a seven-state area to perform a new minimally invasive surgery.
When people think of da Vinci, they probably think of the famous artist from history. However, at KU Med, da Vinci is a robot performing minimally invasive surgeries like gallbladder removal.
The procedure was approved by the FDA in December.
And one of the robots first patients is a familiar face right in Kansas City.
Kansas City, KS, Mayor Joe Reardon conducts city business, but recently he had to take care of some business of his own.
“First of all, I had heard from other folks about Dr. Selim, so the reputation of a great surgeon that is here at KU which we are coming to expect at this medical center, you know you have got quality people working here day in and day out,” Reardon said.
Reardon was the first patient to have the operation done in the metro.
“Couldn’t think of a better place to be when I needed to have my gall bladder addressed than right here,” Reardon said.
Reardon’s gallbladder was removed by the robot.
Dr. Niazy Selim is a surgeon at KU Med, and he also helped removed the mayor’s gallbladder.
Selim said the benefits of the new da Vinci robot are countless.
“Minimally invasive, very small scars, less post-operative pain, earlier recovery for the patient and earlier return to work,” Dr. Niazy Selim said.
Aside from being sore, Reardon says the pain feels like he has been working out the abdomen area.
“That is the kind of soreness,” Reardon said.
Selim said what makes the da Vinci different than most other robots out there is that it translates every movement that the hand does
“When you pull, it will move the arms … you push, it takes in … you turn, your hands, it turns in,” Reardon said.
In less than a week after having the procedure the Reardon said it was just a matter of adjusting to being without the gallbladder.
“Going forward is going to be something that is a lot better than when I was or I had it before,” Reardon said.
Reardon also said his mom has been around to help him and take care of him since his surgery.
Selim said the technology was originally engineered by NASA more than 20 years ago. However, the gallbladder removal procedure was approved by the FDA back in December.
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