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By Andrea Kalas-Nagel
THANKS TO ADVANCEMENTS IN ROBOTIC
surgery, kidney tumors are no longer a sure reason
for total kidney removal. Now surgeons can perform
what’s called a partial nephrectomy, removing only a
small portion of the kidney through incisions about the
size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.
Edward Ellison, M.D., is the only surgeon in the Inland
Northwest to fully embrace the technology of the da
Vinci robot for kidney surgery.
“When we find a tumor that’s small enough to remove,
we can now perform a partial nephrectomy and cut out
just that part of the kidney that is affected by the tumor,”
Dr. Ellison said. “The da Vinci robot allows us to make
smaller incisions with better accuracy.”
P R E C I S I O N I N S T R U M E N T S
The da Vinci system is powered by state-of-the-art ro-
botic technology. This system allows surgeons to perform
delicate operations through a few tiny incisions with
increased vision, precision, dexterity and control. It is
made up of several key components, including a specially
designed console, where the surgeon sits while operating;
a patient-side cart, where the patient lies during surgery;
four interactive robotic arms; a high-definition 3-D vi-
sion system; and hand instruments designed to provide
surgeons with natural, full range of motion.
While the physician sits at a console next to the patient
with his or her hands on a set of controls, the system
translates the hand movements into very precise move-
ments of the da Vinci’s tiny robotic instruments inside
the patient. It is important to know that robotic surgery
does not place a robot at the controls. Rather, the physi-
cian performing the surgery is controlling every aspect
of the surgery and using the da Vinci robot as a tool.
“It’s similar to holding the actual instruments we would
use in an open surgery andmimicking the samemotions,”
T H E D A V I N C I S U R G I C A L S Y S T E M
Redesigning
the Way We
Think About
Kidney Surgery
Dr. Ellison said. “We’re telling
the robot what to do using the
same movements and similar
techniques.”
With the da Vinci, dedicated
and experienced surgeons can
remove tumors up to 7 centi-
meters across, about the size
of a tennis ball, and leave the
kidney in place. The American
Urological Association has
published guidelines suggesting that for tumors smaller
than 7 centimeters across, surgeons should use this ap-
proach or send their patients to someone who can do so.
G R O W I N G D E M A N D
“As we age, common diseases—like obesity and high
blood pressure—are harder on our kidneys,” Dr. Ellison
said. “So the new trend is for urologists to save the kidney
and have better operations.”
Using the da Vinci robot has other benefits for patients,
as well. Traditional open surgeries require large and often
painful incisions. Patients also experience more bleeding
and are at greater risk for infection with open surgery.
The recovery process from the two small incisions from
the robotic surgery is much easier and less painful.
“It’s a much quicker recovery for patients,” Dr. Ellison
said. “They can usually return home in one to two days.
We want patients to be able to return to their daily lives
as soon as possible.”
T I N Y I N C I S I O N S
For more information about other surgeries
offered using the da Vinci Surgical System, go
to
KootenaiHealth.org
. Under “Medical Services,” select
“Surgical.”
LEADING EDGE
Edward Ellison, M.D.
KOO T E NA I
H E A L T H
. OR G
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