I was honored to be chosen by Intuitive Surgical to perform the first live robotic kidney removal surgery at this years American Urologic Association conference (press release). This was the second year in a row that I have been chosen to perform l a live surgery.
Intuitive has been broadcasting live surgeries for 3 years now. I was one of 3 surgeons to perform a dvP (robotic prostatectomy) at the 2006 AUA convention. This year there were 4 live dvPs and my nephrectomy.
Robotic Kidney and adrenal specimen: click to enlarge
The surgery was performed on Sunday afternoon, May 20th, on an 80 year old gentleman who had a 2 inch right kidney tumor and a small tumor in his adrenal gland. I removed the right kidney and adrenal gland in about 80 minutes with less than 1 ounce of blood loss.
The gentleman was able to go home on Tuesday morning and only took 1 pain pill while at home. I saw him in the office after 12 days and he was fully recovered.