Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Team Approach to Robotic Prostatectomy

The successful performance of robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer requires a team approach.  The surgeon alone should never bask in the accolades of his success without giving credit to his ancillary staff.   In my extensive experience with this surgical procedure, I have come to realize that your nurses, scrub technicians, Anesthesiologists, and most of all, your first surgical assistant must be given credit for each and every positive outcome.  This is an extremely technical procedure with a language and choreography all its own.  I prefer to work with the same personnel for each and every case.  This improves our efficiency and allows me to move from step to step during the actual surgery with minimal interruption.  Only with the assistance of his expertly trained team can the robotic surgeon master the fluidity of his technique.  

I perform at least two to three robotic prostactomy procedures each week at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York.