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Jordan Hall, Robotic Surgery William D. Steers, M.D. Hovey Dabney Professor and Chair, Department of Urology In the 1996 science fiction movie Fantastic Voyage, surgeons were miniaturized and inserted into the human body to perform an otherwise impossible operation. Some surgery today approaches science fiction. In 2004, the surgeons are life-size, but their hands do not touch the patient. Instead, they are at the controls of a robotic system of instruments that perform the actual surgery. Surgical instruments on robotic arms are inserted into the patient through tiny incisions. These robotic arms, which can rotate 360 degrees, hold specialized surgical instruments and allow the surgeon greater precision and flexibility than with the human hand. A lighted telescope is also inserted and serves as the “eyes” of the procedure. The surgeon can see the inside of the body through a three-dimensional computer vision system that magnifies the view far beyond what is ordinarily seen when operating with the naked eye. Dr. William Steers is a pioneer in the use of the da Vinci robotic surgical system for prostate surgery. He will describe the da Vinci system, show videos of prostate surgery using this system, and discuss the future of robotic surgery. A question-and-answer period will follow. Advanced registration is not required for this Mini-Med School Alumni Lecture. If the auditorium is filled, an overflow conference room with closed-circuit TV will be available. Written questions will be taken from the audience in both locations. Free parking is available in the Lee Street Garage at the |
