Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute Performs First Procedure Using Single Port Robot
February 29, 2024
Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute began performing procedures using the new Da Vinci Single Port (SP) robot on Monday, February 19. Surgeons use the technology to perform procedures via one single incision or opening in the body, providing heightened precision and minimal impact on the patient.
Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute houses one of only 170 SPs in the world. The SP contrasts with traditional surgery robots that require multiple ports of entry to the body by using one access point for all four instruments.
Sagar Kansara, MD, Rula Mualla, MD, and Michael Dileo, MD, head and neck oncologic surgeons, were the first to use the SP Robot in an operation at Our Lady of the Lake for a successful cancer resection at the base of the tongue. The patient is recovering and expected to quickly return to their everyday life.
“Classic surgical techniques for excision of tongue base cancers are quite morbid,” Dr. Kansara said. “With the SP robot, we are able gain surgical access to the oropharynx, a site which has been traditionally very challenging to treat.”
In addition to specialized SP procedures, surgeons at Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute use the Da Vinci XI machine to perform minimally invasive surgery — from advanced cancer treatment to hernia and gallbladder removal to surgical weight loss. The institute houses the largest fleet of surgical robots in the state, giving patients more access to treatment sooner.
“By implementing the SP robot, we’re furthering our commitment to providing the most innovative and advanced robotic surgery to south Louisiana,” said Dr. Daryl Marx, medical director of Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute. “It allows us to perform complex urologic and head and neck procedures even less invasively than before, which provides patients a quicker and often easier recovery.”
Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute’s experienced surgeons are continually training the next generation of leaders in robotic surgery on the latest advancements, such as the SP, to provide the highest level of care to patients.
Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Robotic Surgery Institute at ololrmc.com/robotics.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.