Drexel Doctor Completes New Method of Ovary Removal

On Monday, Drexel University College of Medicine announced that Stephanie A. King, M.D., Associate Professor and Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, performed what is believed to be the world's first-ever SPA bilateral ovary removal. The surgical procedure was completed using anew high dexterity instrumentation designed by Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. of Cupertino, California. At the conclusion of the procedure, the patient was left with a hidden scar in her belly button.

The Single Port Access Technique (SPA) was first used to perform gallbladder removals, hernia and stomach surgeries. Developed by Paul G. Curcillo II, M.D., Vice Chairman of Surgery and Director of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Drexel College of Medicine, Dr. Curcillo has completed more than 15 procedures. His technique incorporates the use of Realhand High-Dexterity instrumentation.

Realhand instruments copy the movements of a surgeon's hand and are extremely sensitive. Using the Endolink® mechanism, they are the first hand-held instruments to have full range of motion so that when the surgeon's hand move in a certain direction, the tip of the instrument mimics that movement in exact precision.

Dr. King stated "To be able to incorporate this new technique and instrumentation into gynecologic surgery is a wonderful benefit to the patient, both in lessening of discomfort and hastening recovery, not to mention the hidden scar. It will decrease the number of incisions required in routine gynecologic laparoscopy, as well as allow us to do more advanced gynecologic procedures using fewer incisions."

This news announcement joins the latest reports of other innovative techniques introduced involving "natural orifice" and NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) surgical procedures. The traditional laparoscopic surgery often requires up from three to four incisions compared to the one required with the use of Dr. Curcillo's SPA technique and this new technologically advanced instrument.