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WE ARE THRILLED TO OFFER THIS CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS CLOSE TO HOME.

Michael Tyler, M.D.
Urology Oncologist at Broward Health

Surgery today is much different than it was at the turn of the century.” Prostate surgery is highly considered as a first step in the treatment of prostate cancer in select individuals. An early leader in robotic-assisted surgery in the area, Broward Health surgeons have a high level of training and experience. “We are thrilled to offer this cutting-edge treatment for patients close to home,” said Dr. Tyler.

BENEFITS OF ROBOTICS

Broward Health uses the da Vinci Xi Surgical System to perform robotic-assisted surgery for a wide range of men’s urologic issues — from cancerous and benign prostate issues to reconstructive surgeries involving the urinary tract, kidney and bladder. Surgeons perform these complex procedures through tiny incisions by controlling mechanical instruments from a console inside the operating room. The robotic system provides surgeons a 3D view of the surgical site and allows them to help make movements more precise than the human hand alone. “In the past, most of these procedures were performed through open surgery, involving lengthier hospital stays and increased complications. Robotic-assisted surgery is the next step in minimally invasive surgery, offering unparalleled visualization and accuracy,” said Dr. Tyler.

IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING

Most people who are a candidate for minimally invasive prostate surgery are also a candidate for robot-assisted surgery. However, men whose cancer has grown beyond the prostate may not be appropriate for surgery, which is why finding the cancer early is so important. “I had absolutely no symptoms. The only reason I knew that I had prostate cancer is through screening,” said Siegel. Dr. Tyler added, “Men need to talk to their doctor and get their prostate checked regularly. Remember, treatment of prostate cancer is no longer something to be scared of. Those who catch it early have the best outcome.”

BACK TO NORMAL LIFE

Siegel underwent a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with Dr. Tyler at Broward Health Coral Springs. After just one night in the hospital, he was home with his family. Siegel began taking light walks the next week and after just one month, he was lifting weights. Within four months, Siegel was back to his normal workout.Today, almost two years after the surgery, Siegel continues his active lifestyle, has remained cancer free and has no lasting side effects from the surgery.“I’m so relieved I had this surgery. It’s peace of mind,” said Siegel. “I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Robotics To The Rescue

HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY MAKES IT EASIER TO RECOVER FROM SURGERY

That was a piece of cake,” patients may exclaim after their robotic-assisted surgery. Long gone are the days of scalpels, dressings and sutures. With advances in technology, robotic tools are becoming the norm in operating rooms. Research shows that robotic surgery can be safe and effective for many types of operations. In some cases, using robots may even lead to better patient outcomes, such as reduced blood loss and faster recoveries.

 

HOW IT WORKS

During robotic-assisted surgery, specially trained surgeons control instruments with mechanical arms from a console inside the operating room, giving the surgeon a high-definition, 3D view of the surgical site. Robotic technology helps surgeons make small, intricate incisions, enabling them to perform even the most complex cardiac, colorectal, general, gynecologic and urologic procedures. The surgeon controls all instruments and their movements at all times, according to Ronald E. Moore, M.D., general/bariatric surgeon at Broward Health Medical Center.

“With the robotic arms, I’m able to be 10 to nearly 100 times more precise than I could be if it was just with the human hand,” said Dr. Moore, who uses robotics for gallbladder, hernia and colorectal cancer surgery, as well as surgical weight-loss (bariatric) surgery.

Michael Tyler, M.D., urologist/uro–oncologist, Broward Health North, uses robotics for surgeries involving the prostate, kidney and bladder, and does a wide range of robotic-assisted benign and reconstructive urinary surgeries.

“Prior to the development of minimally invasive surgery, traditional operations were only able to be performed using an open surgical technique,” said Dr. Tyler. “Though it still has its applications today, open surgery is quickly becoming a thing of the past.”

Dr. Tyler added, “Robotic-assisted surgery adopts the core principles of minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery and improves them to the benefit of both patients and surgeons alike.”

Chi Zhang, M.D., FACS, general/bariatric surgeon, Broward Health Imperial Point, uses robotics for the majority of the abdominal surgeries he performs, such as inguinal and ventral hernia repairs, colon resections, gallbladder removal and foregut and bariatric surgery. He explains robotic surgery to his patients like this: Robotic surgery is like a new smartphone, while traditional laparoscopy is like a flip phone — you can make a phone call with either device, but the smartphone is more user-friendly and has more features.

 

HOW PATIENTS BENEFIT

These days, robots can assist with a wide range of operations. Doctors can use robots for cardiac, colorectal, gynecologic, head and neck, thoracic and urologic surgical procedures. Some of the most common practices that involve robots include gallbladder removal, hysterectomy and prostate removal.

One of the biggest benefits: roboticassisted surgery can make a huge difference in how quickly patients recover after surgery. Patients are expected to have less blood loss, feel less pain and recover faster than typical open surgery. That means they can return to their normal activities more quickly.

Dr. Tyler noted that, historically, traditional open surgeries would require patients to be in the hospital for several days.

“Now, it is rare for a patient to be in the hospital for more than 24 hours after robotic surgery,” said Dr. Tyler. “This holds true even for some of our more complex cases. I expect my patients to be out of bed and walking around even on the same day after their surgery.”

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ROBOTIC SURGERY CAN BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR MANY TYPES OF OPERATIONS. IN SOME CASES, USING ROBOTS MAY EVEN LEAD TO BETTER PATIENT OUTCOMES, SUCH AS REDUCED BLOOD LOSS AND FASTER RECOVERIES.

John Berne, M.D., a trauma surgeon at Broward Health, has firsthand experience with robotics, both as a surgeon and as a patient. In October 2017, he underwent weight-loss surgery performed by a surgical team that included Drs. Moore and Zhang.

“As a surgeon, I expected to have at least some substantial pain. It was remarkable how little pain I had postoperatively,” said Dr. Berne, who was pleased to have such a small incision and short hospital stay.

“The surgery was a life changer for me,” he added. “I was back at work in a week.”

 

MEET DA VINCI

The surgeons at Broward Health use the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, cutting-edge technology that has evolved over time.

There are several generations of robotic devices. The da Vinci Xi is the current state-of-the-art system that is most popularly in use amongst robotic surgeons. It has built on the successes of previous generations and fine-tuned the advantages that make the robot great. What separates this device from previous generations is the ability to move seamlessly with greater freedom in all areas of the surgical field. Also, high-definition 3D images can be seen through an even smaller laparoscopic camera.

“Urologists have pioneered the use of the da Vinci robot with the radical prostatectomy,” said Dr. Tyler, referring to the surgical excision of the prostate to treat prostate cancer. “Its usage has evolved exponentially, allowing us to perform surgeries we would never have dreamed of being able to do without large skin incisions.”

The da Vinci technology also makes it possible to perform other complicated surgeries, such as partial nephrectomy, which is the removal of a kidney tumor while sparing the remainder of the kidney, to radical cystectomy and urinary diversion, which is the complete removal of the bladder and formation of a new conduit for urine elimination.

“These are all very technically demanding procedures, which can now all be done with minimally invasive techniques,” said Dr. Tyler.

Other complex procedures that can be performed with the high-tech da Vinci system include surgeries that range from heart valve replacement to lymph node dissections and very intricate cancer surgeries, noted Dr. Moore.

 

TOP-QUALITY CARE, CLOSE TO HOME

“Having these state-of-the-art devices at several Broward Health locations makes it much easier for patients from all walks of life to access the same care as in top nationally ranked academic centers without the need to travel, sometimes long distances, to them,” said Dr. Tyler. “I take great pride in knowing that I am able to offer the best surgery to my patients right here in our own community. What separates Broward Health from other hospitals is our mission to care for every person in our community in their time of need.”

“THE SURGERY WAS A LIFE CHANGER FOR ME. I WAS BACK AT WORK IN A WEEK.” — JOHN BERNE, M.D.

Dr. Zhang agreed. “The wide availability of robotic surgery demonstrates that Broward Health is at the forefront of surgical innovation and care,” he said. “It shows that Broward Health is investing in its community by providing its surgeons with the best tools to take care of their patients.”

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