World’s first procedure-based training software for robot-

assisted surgery

Wednesday, June 02, 2010 2:43:57 AM by ANI

Washington, June 2 (ANI): A collaborative effort by two Buffalo

scientists has resulted in the development of the first procedure-
based, hands-on surgical training software-a technology that can
revolutionize surgical training worldwide.

Their patent-pending system, Hands-On Surgical Training (HOST),

guides surgeons through real-time operative procedures using the
Robotic Surgical Simulator (RoSS) interface.

Dr. Khurshid Guru and Dr. Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, created

RoSS as a way to help surgeons hone their skills in robot-assisted
surgery so that they’ve logged hours of training before they perform
a particular surgical procedure.

The HOST software system takes this concept further, immersing

the surgeon in a surgical environment using automation technology
and an interactive checklist-based process.

“It’s as close to operating as you can get outside the operating

room. HOST literally holds the surgeon’s hands,” said Guru, who is
also director of RPCI’s Center for Robotic Surgery.

The HOST software system takes surgeons through surgical steps,

prompting and guiding them through the critical stages of an
operation before proceeding to the next step.

A metrics tool evaluates user performance so that surgeons can

track their progress.

That step-by-step prompting system is unique in the field of

computer-assisted surgical learning tools, as is HOST’s basis in
observational learning.

It’s an extremely effective system for training surgeons on emerging

robot-assisted surgical techniques, said Guru.

“Even though it uses these new computer-aided tools, our system is

rooted in mentored, hands-on surgical training, just like the
traditional training model. They both come back to responding to
cues and the opportunity to observe master surgeons,” he said.

“Building on our past collaborations, we developed a process for

capturing the cognitive and motor skills of a trained surgeon and
developed a virtual surgical experience for other surgeons to train
on. This new system teaches the steps by guiding users in actually
performing a surgery in tandem with the master surgeon -outside
the operating room,” noted Kesavadas.

Currently, the HOST software system has been programmed to

demonstrate two of the most common procedures within the field of
robot-assisted surgery-prostatectomy and hysterectomy.

Applications that would expand the HOST software for use in other
types of surgeries are in development.

“This concept, which we’ve been working on since 2007 at UB and

Roswell Park, has been licensed to Simulated Surgical Systems LLC
(SSS) and will be ready for implementation with RoSS by the end of
the year,” said Kesavadas. (ANI)

Five tips when considering weight-loss surgery

Saturday, August 22, 2009 11:47:20 PM by ANI

Washington, Aug 23 (ANI): Considering weight loss surgery? Well,

then following are some suggestions that could assist you through
the process.

Below are five tips from Stephen Hamn, medical director of the
weight loss surgery program at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, an
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

Take your time choosing a program - A good-quality program will

tell you up front about the different options for weight loss surgery
and the post-operative work - exercise and changes in diet -
required for each option.

Be flexible - Consult with a surgeon or surgeons who perform more

than one type of weight loss surgery. As a consumer, you can select
gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding or the gastric sleeve
procedure.

“One procedure may be more effective for you than another for your
individual needs, so do your research on all options,” Hamn said.

Numbers do matter - Many studies have shown that complication

rates from weight loss surgery are highly dependent on the
surgeon’s prior experience. Because previous experience is
tantamount to success, ask your surgeon how many of each
proposed operations he or she has performed.
Chemistry matters - In many general surgical cases, you have
limited interaction with your surgeon. Not so with weight loss
surgery. You may see your surgeon at least four or five times in the
first year. Be sure that the surgeon and support staff is genuinely
interested in you and your success.

Support matters, too - To succeed, weight loss surgery requires hard

work from you. What support can you expect post-surgery? Does
the program offer support groups, psychological support, exercise or
physical therapy? Are dieticians involved to help you develop better
eating habits and food plans?

“I frequently tell our patients that 90 percent of their long-term

success is in their hands, not mine,” Hamn said. (ANI)