8 The Ramsay Way 2016 | 04 Pindara leading the way with new endoscopy procedure The small intestine is currently the most inaccessible part of the gastrointestinal tract making it hard to treat conditions in that area when they arise. However, this will not be the case for much longer when doctors at Pindara Private Hospital begin routinely offering the first Double Balloon Entersocopy procedures on the Gold Coast, where previously patients had to travel to Brisbane. Double Balloon Enteroscopy, or Push-Pull Enteroscopy, is an endoscopic technique which allows the visualisation of the small intestine. This technology debuted in 2001 and was the first endoscopic procedure which allowed for the entire gastrointestinal tract to be visualized in real time. Pindara Private Hospital conducted trials of this technique during 2016 and plans to begin making it available in early 2017. Interventional Gastroenterologist Dr Michael Murray said the small intestine is the ‘final frontier’ of the gastrointestinal tract. “The reason it is hard to get to is that is wriggly and mobile and not fixed. With the two balloons, placed about a foot apart, you can anchor the scope in position as you go through.” The piece of equipment used is comprised of long and thin scope with an over tube used to guide the scope. The over tube, along with a technique of inflating and deflating the two balloons the small intestine is concertinaed onto the scope. As the scope moves forward through the small intestine, the camera allows the complete examination of the small bowel. When necessary, interventional procedures can also take place using the scope. “It is used to get biopsies from the small intestine and do procedures like treating bleeding lesions, taking off polyps, putting in stents and using balloon devices to stretch narrowing,” said Dr Murray. This technology is also in high demand in an ever increasing group of patients who have an altered gastrointestinal anatomy due to weight loss surgery. “Procedures to get gallstones, for example, can be done in patients that have had a gastric bypass where their normal anatomy has been disconnected. So from that point of view, it is a growing area,” he said. Traditionally, to investigate and perform procedures in the small intestine which could not be reached from a standard gastroscopy or colonoscopy, invasive procedures such as open surgery would need to be performed. As it is a non-invasive procedure, Double-Balloon Enteroscopy is associated with minimal discomfort and a very low complication rate allowing patients to have a shorter recovery time. “The principle of endoscopy is to do things all internally without cuts to the abdomen so patients get over the procedures really quickly. This new procedure adds to our ability to perform interventional treatments more easily and successfully,” Dr Murray said. HOSPITAL NEWS Westmead: breaking new ground in robotic surgery Surgeons at Westmead Private Hospital have a new assistant in the operating room, named ROSA. A highly advanced surgical robot assistant, ROSA has a computer “brain” for 3D imaging and a robotic arm that directs surgical instruments with extreme accuracy – the first robotic application of its kind in the world! The computer system allows neurosurgeons like Dr Gordon Dandie to make 3-D maps of a patient’s spine. They can look at the 3-D images from any angle, and at any depth. It’s kind of like having an incredibly precise, detailed GPS map. They use this image to mark the exact areas they need to reach. Then – just as importantly – they use the image to plan the best routes to the destinations. ROSA’s arm is designed to perform surgery with very small instruments — instruments as thin as a needle. With its range of motion and ability to assume different positions, the arm is made especially to mimic a human arm. “The ROSA robot is an extraordinary surgical tool that facilitates many complex spinal neurological surgical procedures. With the robot, we can greatly improve the speed and accuracy of the procedures,” said Dr Dandie. “This will directly translate to shorter and less invasive procedures for our patients and thus hasten their care and recovery.” The improved accuracy and shorter surgical times will be a tremendous improvement for patient safety and comfort. “As the first centre in the southern hemisphere to implement this technology, we remain deeply committed to providing the latest cutting edge care for our patients, to maximize their outcomes and improve patient safety” said Hospital CEO Mike Flatley. Robotic technology to advance spinal surgery in Wollongong Wollongong Private Hospital has recently installed the Mazor Robotics Renaissance Guidance System for complex spinal surgery. As one of only two hospitals in NSW offering the Mazor Robotics system, Wollongong Private Hospital continues to strengthen its reputation as the leader of health care services in the Illawarra. With guidance from the Mazor Robotics Renaissance System, surgeons are able to pre-plan spinal surgery using 3D imaging software, allowing for the identification of surgical challenges and the formulation of a patient tailored surgical plan. During surgery, the robotic system guides the surgeon and enables the precise execution of the surgical plan in minimally invasive, complex and routine spinal procedures. The robotic technology offers a high level of screw placement accuracy resulting in better patient outcomes including a reduction in revision rates, reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery. Acting Wollongong Private Hospital CEO, Malcolm Passmore said he was pleased that the Hospital could offer its Neurosurgeons state of the art equipment to further improve patient’s surgical outcomes. “We are excited to be one of very few hospitals in Australia to offer surgeons this essential technology to advance their spinal surgery capabilities.” “Installation of the Mazor Robotic System at Wollongong Private Hospital is great news for patients of the Illawarra. We anticipate this new technology will benefit more than 300 local private patients each year requiring surgical treatment for conditions such as spinal deformity, spinal weakness and chronic back pain.” The arrival of the Mazor Robotics System has been much anticipated by the Hospital’s Neurosurgeons. All spinal surgeons at the Hospital have now had the opportunity to use the Mazor Robotic system and have been impressed by efficiencies the new technology offers. Neurosurgeon Dr Jerry Day said: “The Mazor Renaissance system gives the surgeon the ability to precisely plan each procedure and subsequently conduct each patient’s surgery with confidence and consistently accomplish precision implant placement. This, in turn, decreases operative time and significantly improves patient safety. This system is truly state of the art technology for spine surgery”. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3
The Ramsay Way - 2016 Christmas Edition
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