Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center welcomes public to test-drive da Vinci® Si HD™ robotic surgical system July 22-24

July 20, 2010

Teaneck, NJ - You've probably taken a prospective new car for spin. Maybe you've had fun with one of the new smartphones before committing. But have you ever test-driven a robotic surgical system? Now that's a trip!Members of the general public will have the opportunity to demo the da Vinci® Si HD™ Surgical System at Holy Name Medical Center on Thursday, July 22 through Saturday, July 24 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Medical Center's main lobby. Representatives from manufacturer Intuitive Surgical and Holy Name staff will be on hand to help participants operate the device, experience its robotic arms, and learn more the technology's capabilities.

Name Medical center acquired the latest da Vinci® Si HD™ Surgical System in August 2009, the absolute leading-edge in robotic surgery technology in Bergen County. At Holy Name, surgeons are using this amazing, minimally-invasive system in the practice of urology, gynecology and gynecologic oncology, treating illnesses and abnormalities with greater precision and control than ever before possible.

Using robotic "arms" and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions (about half an inch each) in the body, surgeons operate with the advantage of three-dimensional, high-definition visuals that provide superior depth perception and up to 10x magnification. The system's intuitive instrumentation affords exceptional motor control and natural dexterity, allowing the robotic arms to become an extension of the surgeon's own hands but with the benefit of 360° range of motion that's not possible with the human hand or with laparoscopy.

John Scheuch, M.D., a board-certified urologist on staff at Holy Name who is highly proficient in the performance of robotically-assisted prostatectomies (prostate removal), says the da Vinci® Si HD™ Surgical System isn't just hi-tech bells and whistles, but offers real benefits to patients and the surgeons who treat them.

"Millimeters matter during prostate surgery because minute nerve fibers and blood vessels responsible for healthy functioning are attached to the prostate gland," notes Dr. Scheuch, who says the latest generation da Vinci® robotic surgery system allows him to see with unparalleled clarity and magnification, and to achieve a high degree of accuracy. "To spare these nerves, they must be delicately and precisely separated from the prostate before its removal. Preserving these important tissues increases a patient's chance of emerging from the surgery free of side effects and complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction."

Other benefits, he says, include less pain, less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker return to normal activities. For more information about Holy Name's daVinci® Si HD™ Surgical System or to consult with a surgeon who uses the system, call 877-HOLY-NAME (877-465-9626).