News Release-November 22nd

Mercy Hospital & Medical Center Surgeon Performs Single-Site Robotic Surgery

Chicago IL:  General surgeon Rami E. Lutfi, M.D. of Mercy Hospital & Medical Center performed the hospital’s first da Vinci single-site robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery) using a single incision through the belly button; one of the latest advances in robotic assisted surgery.  Dr. Lutfi is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform this surgery. Mercy Hospital is only the third hospital in the city of Chicago and part of a handful of other cities across the country to perform this state-of-the-art procedure made possible through an FDA approved single-site advancement to the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System.
 
“Single-site instruments used with the da Vinci platform are the next step in the evolution of surgical technologies,” Dr. Lutfi said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the surgical treatment of tomorrow providing our patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical options.”

Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring four to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed inside the patient. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera and in real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments.

“One of the greatest advantages of having the robotic assistance for single-incision surgery is being able to offer this minimally invasive and virtually scarless surgery to more of my patients,” said Lufti. “Plus this robotic system allows me better precision, control and high-definition 3D visualization during the procedure.”

Since the launch of the daVinci ® Surgical System at Mercy in February of 2010, surgeons here have completed over two hundred and forty (240) robotic cases. In addition to single-site gallbladder removal, Mercy surgeons utilize the da Vinci system for a variety of other minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures including gynecological, urological and general surgery.

For more information on robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries at Mercy Hospital & Medical center call 312-567-2600 or visit www.mercy-chicago.org/davinci

About Mercy Hospital:
Mercy Hospital & Medical Center offers you an additional option in minimally invasive surgical services, through the da Vinci ® Surgical System. Today, complex conditions ranging from hysterectomy, removal of the adrenal gland and kidneys, prostate cancer, uterine fibroids and a variety of other urologic and gynecologic conditions, can all be treated minimally invasively with the da Vinci ® Surgical System.

Media Contact:

Maura Reilly

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312-567-2405