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Mary Cunningham, MD, performing robotic surgery in Crouse's Witting Surgical Center. John Nicholson, MD, and David Nesbitt, MD, of Colon Rectal Associates of CNY is removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and¬ lymph nodes, which is indicated for¬ patients with endometrial cancer. As is¬the case for those in need of a pros- tatectomy, most Crouse patients with endometrial cancer are able to benefit from minimally invasive, robotic radi - cal hysterectomy. "When studies were first done on lapa- roscopic surgery for endometrial cancer, the success rates for the procedure weren't good," says Mary Cunningham, MD, gyne- cologic oncologist at Crouse and a regional pioneer in robot-assisted surgery. "Lymph nodes are much more di…cult to access in patients who weigh more, and being overweight is a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Operating on heavier patients using laparoscopy was a particular challenge because of the 2-D visualization. Now, the vast majority of women can have their surgery performed laparoscopically using robotic technology." Dr. C u n n i n g h a m u t i l i z e s F i r e f l y Fluorescence Imag ing, during these procedures, to inject dye into the cervix and more easily visualize and map senti- nel nodes that need to be removed during the procedure. "Rather than taking out large groups of¬ lymph nodes, we tailor the surgery to i nd iv idu a l pat ient s a nd r emove on ly t he ly mph¬ nodes t hat a re most impor ta nt to each indiv idua l ca se," Dr. Cunningham says. A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM In the realm of colorectal surgery, sur- geons use minimally invasive technology to perform partial colectomy for treat- ment of colorectal cancer, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease. The Crouse Institute for Robotic Surgery team has o-ered robotic colorecta l surgery since 2009. Because the physicians were early adopters of the technology and have ample experience, Intuitive Surgical has designated Crouse a colorectal surgery Epicenter. As part of Epicenter designa- tion, colorectal surgeons conduct daylong training sessions for other established surgeons who want to learn more about robot-assisted surgery. "Colorectal surgeons from all over the country, particularly those on the East Coast, come to Crouse to learn from us before they embark on robotic surgery," says David Nesbitt, MD, FACS, FASCRS, colorect a l su rgeon at Crouse. " T he Epicenter designation also allows us to remain early adopters of new technology, such as Firefly Fluorescence Imaging and new stapling devices." A SKILLED, COLLABORATIVE TEAM Innovative technology is only one part of the Crouse Institute for Robotic Surgery's high-quality program. Even more impor- tant than the equipment is the expert team that ensures continuity of care at all stages of the procedure. GENERAL SURGERY Brian Anderson, MD Kenneth Cooper, DO Jeffrey DeSimone, MD Ben Sadowitz, MD COLORECTAL David Nesbitt, MD John Nicholson, MD GYN ONCOLOGY Rinki Agarwal, MD Douglas Bunn, MD Mary Cunningham, MD GYNECOLOGY Stephen Brown, MD Myron Luthringer, MD Navpriya Oberoi, MD Byuong Ryu, MD UROLOGY David Albala, MD Po Lam, MD Andres Madissoo, MD Nedim Ruhotina, MD Harvey Sauer, MD Jeffrey Sekula, MD Daniel Welchons, MD M E M B E R S O F T H E C R O U S E R O B O T I C S U R G I C A L T E A M M E M B E R S O F T H E C R O U S E R O B O T I C S U R G I C A L T E A M " We have excellent physicians who use the robotic platform as a tool to provide the best possible patient care. The quality of robot-assisted surgery programs depends on the level of care and experience that's provided both by the surgeon and the hospital system that cares for patients before, during and after surgery. That's where we feel the Crouse Institute for Robotic Surgery excels." SETH KRONENBERG, MD, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT CROUSE HEALTH " The building block of a successful robotic surger y program is the team," Dr. A lba la says. "Programs aren't built on the success of one or two surgeons, but on the skill of the nurses, physician assistants, technicians and assistants who help with procedures, prep rooms bet ween surgeries a nd help keep our turnover times low. It's very much a team e-ort, and everyone contributes." For more information about the Crouse In stitute fo r Robotic S urge r y, v is it crouse.org/robotics. ■ M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 018 1 1