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medicine leads him to perform the opera- tion without the assistance of physicians' assistants or fellows, Dr. Samadi says the teams in the operating room, the recovery unit and the front office are extremely important to the depart- ment's success. "When I was considering the move to Lenox Hill Hospital, I reached out to my team to gauge their response, and they all signed on to make the move," he says. "We've relocated a multispecialty program made up of expert physicians and providers who have years of experi- ence collaborating with each other. In the past year, we've performed more than 800 surgeries with excellent outcomes. Our track record of success is recognized nationally and internationally, and we have welcomed patients from more than 45 countries and all 50 states." The operating room tea m is a n essential component of surgical success. Consistency is the key when it comes to surgery, and keeping the team together helped Dr. Samadi and the Lenox Hill Robotic Surgery Department maintain unimpeachable standards of care. "I work with dedicated teams who are familiar with my methods," Dr. Samadi says. "They know what I need before I say anything, and they can read my body language. Together, we've performed nearly 6,000 robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries, and their experience enhances operational efficiency and safety. We expedite recovery because we're able to reduce operative times and minimize the amounts of anesthesia patients require." For additional information regarding Dr. Samadi and SMART prostatectomy, visit www.smart-surgery.com. ■ Prostate cancer patients enjoy individualized care at Lenox Hill Hospital's private unit for Dr. Samadi's patients. The cornerstone of Dr. Samadi's patient care model is compassion. COV ER FE AT UR E documented in the February 2014 Lancet article "Incidence of Complications Other T h a n U r i n a r y I n c o n t i n e n c e o r Erectile Dysfunction a f t e r R a d i c a l P r o s t a t e c t o m y o r R a d i o t h e r a p y f o r Prostate Ca ncer: A P o p u l a t i o n - b a s e d Cohort Study." These include severe rectal toxicity and related bowel injuries, second cancers arising in the gastrointestinal tract due to treatment (309 cases per 100,000 person-years), and, most com- monly, urina r y obstr uction. Even stereotactic body radiation therapy, or CyberKnife, which delivers stronger, more localized doses than standard intensity- m o d u l a t e d r a d i o t h e r a p y, l e a v e s approximately 44 percent of patients with genitourinary toxicity two years after therapy. The study was published in The Lancet Oncology (2014; 15:223-31). "Radiotherapy and high-intensity, focused ultrasound bank on random biopsy, which is not always accurate," Dr. Samadi explains. "Surgery, on the other hand, provides accurate staging — you know exactly how much cancer is present, where it's located and whether it's spread to the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes." Additionally, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can fluctuate up to two years following radiotherapy, which can traumatize people who think their cancer is recurring. PSA levels remain constant following prostatectomy, reduc- ing patient anxiety. Frontline surgery also leaves treatment options open for the future. "If cancer returns after surgery, we can always provide radiotherapy," Dr. Samadi says. "But, if radiotherapy fails, surgery would be extremely challenging, if it's even possible." Moving a Program Dr. Samadi joined Lenox Hill Hospital in 2013 and brought his team with him. Although his emphasis on personalized FI V E-S TA R S ERV I C E FOLLOWING PROSTATECTOMY, PATIENTS at Lenox Hill Hospital recover in private rooms in a custom-designed unit on a dedicated floor. Patients are assigned a nurse who vigilantly watches over their recovery, knows the unique needs of these patients and offers a range of services, including administering prescriptions. Sizable rooms provide space for family members to stay with patients, and a private chef cooks meals to order. Patient satisfaction scores consistently reflect the mantra that the patient experience is of the utmost importance to the department. "We ensure every patient has an amazing experience," says David B. Samadi, MD, Chair of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Professor of Urology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. "We provide concierge services and private security to complement the quality of medical care we provide. If I needed surgery, this is how I would want my hospital stay." 1 0 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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