Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1482519
"The SP platform puts Crouse in a very unique position, as it is the only system of its kind in Central New York," Dr. Lam says. In addition to the change from multiple ports to one port, the instrumentation with the SP system is more flexible. Dr. Lam explains that the flexibility of the instrumentation and the camera a llows the surgeon to work in tight spaces they could not access before. "It a llows for an innovative way to do the same surgery in a more confined space," says Dr. Lam. " With the availability of the SP, there's no reason to perform prostate surgery any other way." For Dr. Lam's patients, there are numerous benefits to having robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci SP. " We can reduce the risk of damage to the intestines or large blood vessels a nd avoid sca r tissue that may exist due to a patient's prior abdomina l surgeries." The positioning of the patient is different with the SP robot as well. During a laparoscopic prostatectomy, a patient is placed with their head down and feet up, creating potentia l issues to maintain proper breathing during anesthesia. By eliminating this positioning during robotic surgery, patients have fewer issues and faster recovery. "The rea l impetus to do this is that it's ultimately better for our patients," says Dr. Lam From the beginning of the robotics program in 2008, Crouse has been the regiona l leader in the field of robotics surger y, ensuring that their surgeons have the resources they need to be on the cutting edge. "To their credit, Crouse leadership understood the advan- tages of robotic surger y early on and has done a great job of nurturing the program," Dr. DeSimone says. Bariatric patients require specia l equipment and furnishings to accommodate their size and Crouse provided them with everything they need on their own floor, ma king an overnight stay in the hospita l more comfortable. " We have never been faced with a lack of institutiona l support," Dr. Cooper says. n " The ability to enter the body through a single, small incision helps surgeons perform procedures in a less invasive way, helping to reduce trauma and discomfort to the patient." — PO LAM, MD Dr. Po Lam " There are a lot of options in this community for surgery of all kinds, including bariatric, but Crouse is clearly the leader in Central New York in robotic cases and that makes the difference." — KENNETH COOPER, DO 1 6