The Cutting Edge of Technology
By Brady Gunnink

There has always been a certain amount of risk associated with surgical procedures. “Going under the knife” is a phrase that puts many people ill-at-ease. Even successful surgeries often have unpleasant complications, such as blood loss, infection, scarring and slow recovery time. But now, technological advancements have led to the development of robotic surgical systems that can perform invasive procedures more safely and efficiently.

Newsweek estimates that in 2006, more than 70,000 robotic surgical procedures will be performed — nearly double that of 2005. Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights recently became a part of this growing trend with the acquisition of the CyberKnife and the da Vinci Surgical System, two highly touted breakthroughs in oncological technology. These technological upgrades are part of the reason Northwest Community Hospital was named one of the 50 Best Hospitals for Treatment of Cancer and Digestion Disorders and the number one hospital in Illinois by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company.

The da Vinci Surgical System allows a trained surgeon to perform surgery on a patient using tiny surgical instruments wielded by robotic arms. A camera system allows the surgeon to sit at a console across the room (or across the world!) and have magnified 3D visual access to the patient that they would never have standing next to the operating table. Patients can rest assured they are being operated on by the brightest of human minds and the steadiest of electronic hands.

This machine has revolutionized the way doctors perform radical prostatectomies. In the traditional version of the procedure, a cancerous prostate is removed through an eight to ten inch incision, requiring a two-day hospital stay and an even lengthier, painful recovery period. A procedure performed with the da Vinci only requires six tiny incisions, leading to a shorter hospital stay and recovery. Because of the da Vinci’s unprecedented precision, the risk of infection and lingering pain is also greatly reduced. Patients stop needing pain medication as early as the day after surgery.

“This is a milestone advance in urological surgery,” says Dr. Geoffrey Engel, a urologist at Northwest Suburban Urology Associates and one of four doctors currently trained to use Northwest Community’s da Vinci system. “In traditional prostatectomies, the prostate is very hard to get to, because the angles are so bad. It is absolutely incredible how much easier this machine makes the procedure.”

Northwestern Community Hospital currently uses the da Vinci solely for prostatectomies, but they plan to expand soon to gynecological and cardiological procedures as well. “Every hospital in the country would love to have one of these systems,” insists Dr. Engel. “We are very lucky that Northwest Community Hospital was able to make this financial commitment. They really put their money where their mouth is.”

The hospital also recently purchased the CyberKnife, the world’s first full-body radiosurgery system. The machine targets tumors in very specific areas, shooting precise beams of radiation to “kill” small tumors, avoiding collateral damage to the rest of the body. The device also features the Synchrony System, which allows it to track and irradiate tumors even if they move because of breathing or other minor shifting.

In addition to its increased accuracy, the CyberKnife offers several other major advantages. Previously, stereotactic radiosurgery could only be used for brain tumors. Thanks to its robotic precision, the CyberKnife can be used on the entire body. The system is also more patient-friendly: instead of having to screw a metal frame to the patient’s skull in order to support a CT scanner or MRI, the CyberKnife can function without such painful preparation.

“CyberKnife is the newest addition to our high-tech arsenal for treating complex and life-threatening conditions, but it won’t be our last,” said Bruce Crowther, president and CEO of Northwest Community Hospital, in a recent press release.

Northwest Community Hospital is determined to garner the best resources possible for treating patients in all areas. Said Crowther, “As we expand and modernize our facilities, we are committed to acquiring the most advanced treatments as they become available. It’s part of our mission to redefine community hospital, giving patients the best medical care close to home.”