GBMC Doctor & Robot Work Together On Gynecologic Surgery

BALTIMORE – January 9, 2006 – With a recent tubal reanastomosis procedure on a woman from Baltimore City, Eugene Katz, M.D. of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center became the first physician to perform robot-assisted gynecologic surgery at a community hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region (MD, DC, DE and VA). 

Dr. Katz, medical director of GBMC’s Fertility Center, says this procedure, which reconnects a woman’s fallopian tubes previously tied for sterilization purposes, is an ideal one for using the daVinci robotic surgical system.   

“This delicate procedure requires very fine sutures and extreme precision,” Dr. Katz said.   “The robot allows for much greater flexibility and 3-D magnification. This truly is the 21^st century of medicine.” 

Made by Intuitive Surgical, the daVinci robot allows surgeons to interactively control movements via a terminal in the operating room.  It acts as an extension of the physician’s hands, and can turn in ways the doctor’s hands cannot. Benefits for the surgeon include improved dexterity, increased range of motion and enhanced visualization.  In addition, because it is a laparoscopic procedure requiring very small incisions, patients experience less scarring and suffer less trauma, are able to go home a few hours after surgery, and typically return to their normal activities in three to four days.  Nearly 37,000 robotic surgeries were performed in 2005. 

Qiona Davis, 28, a state correctional officer, was referred to Dr. Katz after seeking a procedure where she could have her fallopian tubes untied, enabling pregnancy.   

“I didn’t want to have to be cut open again,” said Davis, who has delivered two children via Caesearean section (and one via vaginal delivery).  “I was hoping for a minimally invasive procedure that would allow me to quickly heal and this was it.” 

Dr. Katz has scheduled several additional GYN surgeries during January and February using the daVinci robotic system, including four women for tubal reanastomosis procedures. 

GBMC has been using the daVinci robot for prostate cancer procedures (radical prostatectomy) since fall 2005.  daVinci received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for GYN surgery in spring 2005.  In the Mid-Atlantic states, only one other GYN surgery was performed with the daVinci system – at a university hospital – prior to Dr. Katz’ procedure.

About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive health and family services to the residents of East Baltimore; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 300-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 50,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org.

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