Cerfolio Leads the Charge for Robotics in Thoracic Surgery

Just a few years ago, renowned thoracic surgeon Robert Cerfolio, M.D., was one of the biggest robotic surgery skeptics, discounting the notion that a computer-controlled system could perform a precise operation in the chest better than he could as absurd. He is now its biggest proponent — taking a 180-degree turn. Cerfolio, the chief of thoracic surgery for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health Care System, has performed more robotic thoracic operations using the da Vinci Surgical System in the past four years than anyone in the world. Robotic surgery involves tiny instruments attached to a robot remotely controlled by the surgeon at a computer board. While urologists and gynecologists have been using it for more than a decade, only in recent years have thoracic surgeons utilized it. Robotics for Mesothelioma Patients Cerfolio uses it to simplify the diagnostic and staging process, making it less invasive and more accurate for his patients. "It's about getting the diagnosis correct and treating people with small incisions and scopes," he told Asbestos.com. "Too many surgeons will do a thoracotomy and spread the ribs of [mesothelioma] patients when they don't need to do that." In March, Cerfolio lectured on robotics at the Fox Chase Cancer Center Advances in Thoracic Oncology Conference, which is aimed at medical professionals involved in the management of thoracic malignancies. Karen Selby, our staff nurse at The Mesothelioma Center, also attended the semi...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Treatment & Doctors Source Type: news