Belleville Surgeons Complete Pioneer Gallbladder Surgery

For the first time in Belleville, surgeons at Clara Maass Medical Center successfully removed a patient’s gallbladder using one tiny incision in the belly button, making the procedure the first single-site cholecystectomy performed using the Medical Center’s new daVinci Surgery Robotic system.

Led by Dr. Edwin Amirata, M.D. of Belleville, the surgical team, using robotic assistance, removed the gallbladder through an incision of approximately one inch, making the procedure practically scar free.

This was possible with the aid of the Single-Site instruments provided by the daVinci system.

"Neither robotic surgery nor single-incision surgery is new, but combining the two to remove the gallbladder requires additional training and special equipment," says Dr. Amirata. "To be one of the first hospitals to offer this technically advanced surgery demonstrates Clara Maass’s leadership in providing patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical options."

Clara Maass has two other surgeons, Dr. Robert Brautigan, MD and Dr. Jose Lopez-Canino, MD, also of Belleville, who are trained on the Single-Site instrument and are part of a small group of surgeons in the country who have the ability to perform the surgery.

“Single-Site instruments used with the da Vinci platform are the next step in the evolution of surgical technologies,” Dr. Amirata said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the surgical treatment of tomorrow.”

Potential benefits of Single-Site gallbladder surgery may include virtually scarless results, minimal pain, low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient satisfaction. The surgery can be performed in about one hour with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours.

There are several advantages for both the patient and surgeon with the daVinci system.

During a daVinci procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera. In real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.

Most people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the robotic, single-incision surgery. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder pain from gallstones and non-functioning gallbladders.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. have their gallbladder removed each year. Most are performed with traditional laparoscopy using several incisions.

Clara Maass Medical Center offers various types of robotic-assisted surgeries. In addition to gallbladder removal, Clara Maass surgeons perform robotic-assisted surgery in gynecology and urology.  Clara Maass also offers a wide range of minimally invasive conventional laparoscopic surgeries.

For information on robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries at Clara Maass Medical Center, call 973-450-2000 or visit http://www.barnabashealth.org/hospitals/clara_maass/index.html

Clara Maass Medical Center has won numerous awards and accolades.It is ranked among the 50 Best Regional Hospitals in the New York Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report. It has received two Grade “A” scores in Hospital Safety by the Leapfrog Group. HealthGrades awarded Clara Maass an Emergency Medicine Excellence Award. Thomson Reuters named Clara Maass among the top 100 hospitals nationwide in 2012, one of only three hospitals in New Jersey to attain the distinction. In addition, Clara Maass won the Thomson Reuters Everest Award, one of 12 hospitals in the United States to do so. Clara Maass Medical Center was ranked as the second highest in New Jersey for hospital safety by Consumer Reports. It is ranked top in the state for the treatment of Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Attacks by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services.

Located in Belleville, NJ, Clara Maass Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, provides a complete continuum of care to residents of northern New Jersey. Clara Maass’ centers and services include The Health and Wellness Center, Nuclear Medicine, The Cancer Center at Clara Maass, Adult Cardiac Services including Diagnostic Services, Cardiac Catheterization, Elective and Emergency Angioplasty and Rehabilitation, The Pain Management Center, The Joint & Spine Institute, a Vascular Center, Same Day Surgery, The Wound Center at Clara Maass, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The Bariatric Surgery Center, Rehabilitation Services, The Eye Surgery Center,  Maternity Services and Parent Education, as well as Pediatrics.  For a physician referral or more information about Clara Maass, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.barnabashealth.org 

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