Davinci surgery today. I wasn't the patient this time.

Today I went into the operating room and watched a Davinci prostate surgery. I was invited by the surgeon, who is one of the big names in robotic surgeries. He did mine awhile back. It is very rare for this surgeon to allow anyone in the operating room unless they are in the medical profession. I was very fortunate to have this opportunity.

For the record: I'm an occasional poster on HW. I am not posting under my usual name this time, because if I did that then you'd know which surgeon allowed me to join him in the operating room. I'm not sure whether he'd want that.

I arrived in the room right after the patient was given anesthesia. I watched the surgical team get him ready, put all the ports into his body, incline the table, and soforth. I walked around the table so I could get a good look at the robot and all the other equipment that was monitoring the patient. Then the surgeon came in and started doing his work. Throughout the surgery, I kept envisioning myself on that exact same table awhile back.

This Davinci machine has two operator seats right next to each other. I suppose that the machine could be used together by two surgeons, but this surgeon flies solo. So, I got to sit in the second seat and watch the entire surgery through the magnified 3D lenses of the Davinci console, so I had the exact same view as the surgeon himself.

The surgeon mostly stayed quiet and focused on his work, but occasionally spoke to me to explain what I was seeing. He didn't mind me asking a few questions, but I tried to keep quiet and let the surgeon focus on the patient.

The biggest surprise to me was the number of plastic clips that were used inside the patient's body. Probably 15 or so. The surgeon used electrified scissors to cut and melt tissue for the first part of the surgery. Those scissors were also used to cauterize any severed blood vessels. But once he got anywhere near the prostate and nerve bundles, he switched to non-electrified scissors to avoid damaging the nerves. At that point, he needed the clips to clamp the ends of cut blood vessels since cauterizing isn't an option.

The surgeon's work took 2 hours. Then he left his surgical team to remove the ports, close the holes, move the patient to recovery, and soforth.

I surely won't forget today's experience anytime soon. And, I definitely have a better appreciation for the talents of the surgeon.

Post Edited (an252p) : 7/10/2013 5:54:39 PM (GMT-6)

Very interesting. Betcha I can guess the identities involved.

I have an ethical question, though. Shouldn't the patient be advised that non-medical personnel might be viewing the surgical procedure? I mean, the patient is exposed and vulnerable, and it would be my expectation that only necessary medical personnel would be present. I've never heard of lay visitors in a surgical area.  Here in Illinois, its actually forbidden by statute:  http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/077002500J13050R.html.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 7/10/2013 7:05:07 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks, that is how they do it.  I always wondered how.  I can't imagine doing something like that with a rubber hose sitting in front of me on a table, let alone working with a robot in a bleeding body cavity!  You really have to admire these surgeons! 

Bill K. from NJ

It isn't "legal" to have multiple ids here. I appreciate the sharing, but what you are doing can get you banned from the site.

142:

The only 1 ID rule makes sense for obvious reasons, but in this case c'mon. A little common sense.

We can also play GUESS THE IDENTITY OF THE POSTER, but I won't.

Now, back to the original posting.

Question:

Are the 15 or so plastic clips left in the patient? How big are those clips?

Very interesting thread.

Mel

Am I the only one who questions the ethics of having a lay person in the operating theater during a DaVinci procedure? 

I don't know what state this took place in (though I probably do), I still am queasy about the ethics of allowing lay people into the operating theater, even with the "permission" of the patient or his family. If anyone has clicked on the link in my earlier post, I think they'll find that this could not have happened in Illinois, and probably rarely, or never, in most other venues.

So, while I agree that it's interesting to read a lay person's experience observing a DaVinci procedure, and it was certainly nicely written, I'm just surprised it was allowed.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 7/11/2013 9:46:31 AM (GMT-6)

Casey - inappropriate comment - 142 

Post Edited By Moderator (142) : 7/11/2013 10:25:09 AM (GMT-6)

I might add, obviously, with the consent of the patient.

Mel

Several members' first reaction to this story was about the ethics or legality of allowing our anonymous poster to sit in the co-pilot seat. I understand those concerns although, provided appropriate prior consent was obtained from the doctor, the patient and the hospital, I don't see the objections as insuperable.

Besides, that wasn't my first impulse. My first impulse was to be jealous of the opportunity. I've never seen a DaVinci machine -- or at least I don't think I have. The anesthetics they use when they sedate you for surgery can make you forget the last few minutes before they gave it to you and I may have seen the machine but not remember it. But anyway, my navel has seen the machine but I haven't and I must admit that my curiosity bump is bothering me a bit. I've watched several DaVinci operations on YouTube (before my surgery with horrified fascination, since then more from curiosity) but it isn't the same.

Notsostiff,

If they are the same clips I saw on YouTube they are left in. They are inert and non-absorbable and are comatible with CT and MRI. If you Google for "Hem-o-lock ligation system" you can probably find pictures of the clips.

Only Peter W. can delete an account, and that deletes all associated posts.