Extending a Surgeon's Reach

Extending a Surgeon’s Reach Ocean Medical Center Brian Flaherty is a prostate cancer survivor, thanks to his longtime urologist’s vigilance and skill. WHEN BRIAN FLAHERTY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY-STAGE PROSTATE “The da Vinci System allows surgeons cancer at age 49, he knew he had to thoroughly research his treatment to maneuver, cut, staple, and sew with options. Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery offered him the best great dexterity in small spaces without chance for a fast and complete recovery. Some friends and damaging surrounding tissues, blood family urged Brian to go to New York City or Philadelphia vessels, and nerves,” says Dr. Mendoza. for the procedure. But after careful consideration, he decided “This results in less blood loss, less pain, that his best move was to stay local. and a faster recovery.” For three years, he’d been seeing Pierre Mendoza, M.D., medical director of Urologic Robotic Surgery at Ocean Medical Center and part of Meridian Cancer Care, for Pierre Mendoza, M.D. regular checkups and biopsies, ever since a benign Board certified in enlargement of his prostate had revealed some Urology Brick precancerous cells that warranted close monitoring. 1-800-560-9990 And Brian knew that in addition to being an excellent diagnostician, Dr. Mendoza was a robotic surgery expert who had completed fellowship training in robot-assisted surgery and had been involved in more than 1,000 cases. “I felt very comfortable with Dr. Mendoza’s experience, and to me, the logical choice was to stay under his care,” Brian says. A Powerful Tool Makes Great Surgeons Even Better At Ocean, Dr. Mendoza uses the da Vinci® Surgical System, a medical robot that extends and enhances surgeons’ physical capabilities, allowing them to see more clearly and operate more precisely. The da Vinci System consists of a console and four robotic arms. The surgeon sits at the console a few feet away from the patient, watching a magnified, three- dimensional view of the surgical site and controlling the robotic arms located by the patient’s side. The arms are equipped with a camera and tiny surgical instruments, and they instantly respond to the surgeon’s hand motions. In fact, every movement of the surgeon’s fingers translates to an even more precise motion of the robotic arms in real time. Recovered from prostate cancer thanks to the care he received at Ocean Medical Center, 49-year-old Brian Flaherty is back to work as a nuclear medicine technologist. 6 Meridian HealthViews SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 “Robot-assisted surgery is particularly da Vinci System as well as a dedicated urinate normally. He attributes his fast useful for urological procedures, including anesthesia and nursing team who all play recovery to Dr. Mendoza’s surgical prostatectomy, complex kidney operations, a role in the success of our procedures,” technique as well as his recommendation bladder cancer surgery, and adrenal gland Dr. Mendoza says. “Because as powerful to do Kegel exercises, which strengthen procedures,” he adds. “In fact, most as the technology is, it’s only as good as the muscles that control the flow of prostatectomies in the U.S. are now done the surgeon and team operating it.” urine, prior to surgery. with the da Vinci System, which is a huge Today Brian is fully recovered, healthy, shift that just occurred in the past decade.” Small Incisions and a Fast Recovery and back to work as a nuclear medicine “Brian was a relatively young, otherwise technologist. He notes that as a medical It Takes a Team healthy patient, and we caught his cancer very professional himself, he was particularly In addition to urological procedures like early,” Dr. Mendoza says. “Robot-assisted impressed by the kindness and attention Brian’s, surgeons at Ocean are using the surgery was our best option to ensure that to detail he experienced at Ocean. da Vinci System for general surgery and we removed all the cancerous tissue while “That was my first experience as a gynecological procedures, including preserving urinary and sexual function.” patient, and I was so grateful to all the minimally invasive hysterectomies. It He performed Brian’s surgery, a robot- staff, and especially the night nurses, for may eventually be used for ear, nose, assisted radical prostatectomy to remove constantly checking in on me and making and throat procedures as well as the entire prostate gland, through five sure I had everything I needed,” he says. cardiothoracic surgeries. half-inch abdominal incisions. “I feel very fortunate that this type of “We have experienced surgeons Brian went home after two days in the advanced, compassionate care was who are credentialed on the use of the hospital, and after a week he could available to me so close to home.” Expect Excellence At Meridian, robotic-assisted surgery is done at Ocean Medical Center, as well as Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center. To fi nd out more about the da Vinci® Surgical System, visit MeridianHealth.com/RoboticSurgery. You Deserve It. Enjoy a night out with the girls! Thursday, October 16, 2014 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Take a break from your busy schedule and join us at Girls’ Night Out at Ocean Medical Center. Get pampered, shop ‘til you drop, and learn how to stay healthy at this FREE event. Mingle with Ocean Medical Center medical experts and learn how to improve your health and quality of life. Discover a healthier, happier you at Girls’ Night Out. Taking Care of New Jersey Registration requested. Call 1-800-DOCTORS® or for more information, go to www.OceanMedicalCenter.com/GirlsNightOut MeridianHealth.com 1-800-560-9990 7.

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