The ‘newest generation’ of surgery comes to L.I.

Keeping ahead of the technology curve is a daily challenge for medical centers across the country, and Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola has taken a major step ahead.

Winthrop is now the only hospital in the area to utilize the latest daVinci Surgical System, a cutting edge robotic tool that allows surgeons to perform open operations with enhanced precision. Lead physicians and hospital officials introduced the technology to the public on Aug. 26.

The newest da Vinci model, engineered by the California-based Intuitive Surgical, Inc., displays operations in high definition, offering surgeons a crystal-clear view of their work and the ability to magnify it. Unlike previous models, the robotic “arms” in the new system are intuitive, which gives surgeons a natural hand and eye movement. This improves upon previous models, which were mirror-like, requiring them to move their hands to the right to move the robotic arm to the left.

This system also works as a valuable teaching tool, as it offers dual consoles. Similar to an additional steering wheel in a driver’s education car, a trainer has the ability to participate with the student or perform co-surgery.

Dr. David Gershbaum, Winthrop’s lead urologist whose practice is based in Garden City, has been working with similar versions at other local facilities, but noted that the latest daVinci model is a step ahead.

“This is the newest generation,” Gershbaum said. “This is a small machine with high resolution that is really easy to use. It is less bulky [and] allows me more flexibility on the arms.”

Gershbaum said his department utilizes the machine for various surgeries, usually involving the prostate and scar tissue in the kidney. In addition to treating prostate cancer, the surgery system is also utilized for colorectal and gynecologic cancers and an array of other issues.

As opposed to traditional open laparoscoptic surgery, doctors say that the daVinci system is minimally invasive and leads to less bleeding and pain, a reduced risk of internal scarring, and minimal time in the hospital along with faster recuperation.

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