ROBOTIC SURGERY NEW TO SEQUOIA HOSPITAL
Dieter Bruno MD Performs Sequoia’s First Robotic Procedure
REDWOOD CITY, CA – May 29, 2008 – Sequoia Hospital announced today that Dieter Bruno, MD, leading robotic surgeon, has performed Sequoia’s first robotic surgery using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System.
“The future of medicine has arrived. Sequoia Hospital is very pleased to announce our acquisition of the newest da Vinci Surgical System and our affiliation with a nationally recognized physician in robotic surgery,” said Glenna Vaskelis, President. “We welcome Dr Dieter Bruno to our professional staff. I would also like to extend my grateful appreciation to the Sequoia Hospital Foundation for their commitment to fund the da Vinci Surgical System.”
“I truly love my career as a surgeon, I am motivated by excellence and I always strive to improve,” said Dieter Bruno, MD. “And I’m very excited to see these same qualities in my new Sequoia Hospital colleagues. I choose to practice at Sequoia because it’s an environment that nurtures physicians and cherishes helping patients and their families.”
Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3D high-definition image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.
Many surgical procedures performed today using a standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using the da Vinci Surgical System. This is because the da Vinci Surgical System delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery. For the patient, benefits may include: less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, less scaring, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.
“While Sequoia’s first robotic surgery was the removal of a mass in a female patient, I most often use the da Vinci Surgical System for patients suffering from prostate cancer,” said Dieter Bruno, MD. “In fact, one of the most innovative new forms of treatment for prostate cancer is robotic surgery. By enhancing surgical capabilities, the da Vinci Surgical System helps to improve clinical outcomes and redefine standards of care.”
Dr Dieter Bruno, urologist, is a national proctor for surgeons being trained in robotic surgery. Sequoia is the first hospital in San Mateo County to acquire the da Vinci® Surgical System.
“Robotic surgery allows highly skilled physicians to perform complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach – routinely and with confidence,” said Linda Kresge, RN, VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive. “We expect to use the da Vinci Surgical System for heart surgery in the coming months. Imagine a minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to traditional open heart surgery. This is something we’re all very excited about.”
About Sequoia Hospital
Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional healthcare to Bay Area residents. Sequoia, ranked among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide, is a recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award TM, based on a study issued by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company. Offering a full range of medical, surgical and specialty programs, Sequoia also ranks in the top percentile of hospitals nationwide for patient satisfaction. “Best in California for Coronary Interventional Procedures” in 2008 is another HealthGrades rating for Sequoia Hospital, which also received the HealthGrades 2008 Cardiac Care Excellence Award and 2008 Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award. To learn more, please visit: www.SequoiaHospital.org
