Robotic surgery coming to Memorial Medical Center

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is bringing the latest in surgical technology to Niagara County.

Memorial has purchased a da Vinci® Si™ Surgical System for use by specially trained surgeons participating in the hospital’s minimally invasive robotic surgery program.

Minimally invasive surgery is typically performed through small incisions – also known as operating ports or keyhole incisions – rather than the large incisions required for direct, manual access to the targeted anatomy. The $1.7 million da Vinci System gives Memorial’s patients access to the most effective, least invasive surgical treatment option available today.

“The introduction of robotic assisted surgery is another milestone for Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center,” President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo said.

“The da Vinci’s advanced technology takes surgery beyond the limitations of the human hands and eyes and brings superior surgical options to patients in Niagara County,” said Donna Azam Feldman, M.D., of Women’s Medicine of Niagara.

The computer enhanced da Vinci® Si™ gives surgeons unparalleled precision, dexterity and control and enables a minimally invasive approach for many complex surgical procedures. The system translates the surgeon's hand movements in real time to its miniaturized instruments while using motion scaling and tremor reduction to improve precision.

“With the da Vinci system I will be performing robotic prostatectomies and radical or partial nephrectomies. The da Vinci system allows me to perform minimally invasive surgeries using the latest technology only available at major medical centers. It allows for faster patient recovery with less post-operative pain,” said Brian Rambarran, M.D., of Western New York Urology Associates.

It’s also expected to attract some of the area’s best surgical talent.

"News of this technology coming to Niagara Falls Memorial has already prompted several of Western New York’s most distinguished and well-regarded surgeons to apply for operating privileges here,” Ruffolo said.

An open house and robotic surgery system demonstrations were held March 6 in the Medical Center Auditorium. Special guests were students from the Gaskill Preparatory School (Niagara Falls) and Lewiston-Porter MIddle School.

Gynecologists, gynecological oncologists, urologists, colorectal surgeons and general surgeons are expected to perform the most robotically assisted surgeries during the first year the da Vinci system is in use.

“This advances our goal of extending minimally invasive surgery to the broadest possible base of patients,” Dr. Feldman said.

“We believe da Vinci Si System will help Niagara Falls Memorial produce the best possible patient outcomes and is proof of our commitment to providing our community access to the latest advancements in health care,” said James C. Roscetti, chairman of the medical center’s board of trustees.

For more information about the da Vinci Si System, call Memorial’s Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Hotline at (716) 278-4492 or visit our da Vinci page.