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By enhancing surgical capabilities, robotic surgery helps to improve clinical outcomes for patients and redefines standards of care. Research has shown that patients experience less blood loss and need for transfusions, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery and return to normal daily activities. "The daVinci robot at Norwalk Hospital will be used initially in the treatment of prostate cancer," Dr. Bernie said, adding that plans are underway for the hospital to incorporate its use in other applications including gynecologic and general surgery procedures. Currently, robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy using the robotoic surgery system is the number one treatment for prostate cancer surpassing all other modalities of therapy. In the past, one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer was open radical prostatectomy, or removal of the prostate gland through a large 8 to 10 inch incision. The daVinci Prostatectomy incorporates this new state-of-the-art surgical system allowing the surgeon to view anatomical structures clearly and perform a precise surgical procedure through small incisions. The robotic procedure has been used successfully in the treatment of thousands of prostate cancer patients in the past several years. Additionally, patients treated with the robot may have lower incidence of incontinence and impotence than those treated by standard surgical methods. By using the robotic surgical system, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient. Many surgical procedures performed today using standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using the daVinci Surgical System. This is because robotic surgery delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery. Traditional laparoscopy has never become widely applied outside a limited set of routine procedures. Only a select group of highly skilled surgeons routinely attempt complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach. The daVinci Surgical System now allows surgeons to perform complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach ? routinely and with confidence. A number of procedures that could not be performed using traditional minimally invasive technologies can now be performed using the daVinci Surgical System. The advanced feature set and extensive EndoWrist ® instrumentation of the daVinci Surgical System enable surgeons to perform more procedures through 1-2 cm incisions. "We are pleased to be able to offer our patients the latest in high tech surgery while maintaining the individualized and personalized care of a community hospital setting," Dr. Bernie said. A board-certified urologist in practice with Urology Associates of Norwalk, Dr. Bernie is fellowship-trained in robotic surgery and has five years of experience in this field. He joined the Norwalk Hospital Medical Staff two years ago and was recently appointed Chief of Robotic Surgery. In addition to being recognized for his proficiency in robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland), Dr. Bernie is an expert in minimally invasive surgical and laparoscopic urological techniques, including nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) and adrenalectomy (removal of the adrenal gland)." He also specializes in prostate cryoablation in the treatment of prostate cancer (which utilizes extreme cold to destroy cancer cells) and laser therapy for benign prostate disease. He received his M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He was previously awarded a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, The College of Arts and Sciences, and a B.S. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School. He completed his medical training in general surgery and urology at the University of California, San Diego, and served as a Fellow in Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery at Indiana University. Dr. Bernie has been the recipient of several awards for both his surgical skills and clinical research, including the Laurence F. Greene Memorial Award for Meritorious Achievement, presented by the Urologic Research and Education Foundation and the Gerald P. Murphy Scholar Award of the American Urological Association for distinction in the study of prostate cancer. He is the author of numerous articles published in scientific journals as well as a book chapter on Bladder Cancer in Urological Oncology. He also provides time for local and national lectures. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. [an error occurred while processing this directive] CURRENT HEADLINES: [an error occurred while processing this directive] Top of Page
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