M. Brian Harkins, MD, FACS | 31 January 2016 | Issue 2
Tomball Regional Medical Center has become the first hospital in the Greater Houston Area to have two of the latest Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems in use. This doubles patient access to this highly sophisticated platform compared to other local hospitals. Dr. Harkins continues to be the most prolific user of this advanced technology. He is able to perform increasing numbers of more complex surgical cases. The winners...patients who are receiving state-of-the art care from a leading expert without the need to travel out of the area.
The repair of an incisional or ventral hernia using an open technique requires a large incision with all of the pain and recovery delays that go with that but the approach allows for more options to close the defect. Using laparoscopy results in less pain and a quicker recovery but most laparoscopists don’t close the defect. A mesh is placed and bridged across the defect and then it is usually tacked into place. This leads to higher event ration rates and increased recurrences. Each approach has advantages, but also significant disadvantages.
The robotic platform solves the problem! It is a minimally invasive platform which gives the patients the benefit of smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery. With the incredible 3D HD magnified view and wristed instrument dexterity, closing the defect and suturing in the mesh is even easier than doing this in an open approach. The result is a platform that has the best of both of the previous approaches without the downsides. So, the problem must be the cost right?...Wrong, many major studies are showing not just similar costs to laparoscopy, but decreased costs when using the robotic approach. Dr. Harkins stated, “For many years I have done open and laparoscopic repairs. Since I began using the robotic approach over a year ago I can comfortably say that I am now doing the absolute best incisional/ventral hernia repair I have ever done!”
Incisional/ventral hernia repairs using the robotic platform represent the fastest growing procedures in robotics. With nearly 200% year over year growth since 2012, the procedure is on its way to becoming the new standard of care. More than 17,000 incisional/ventral hernias were done in 2015. Many of the most renowned leaders in hernia repair surgery have shown enthusiastic support. Dr. Harkins has vast experience with this approach using the Da Vinci Xi system!
“Fly” thru the abdominal cavity, please click here
The “All-In” adoption of the robotic platform has “quickly” caused Dr. Harkins to be recognized as a leader in General Surgery in overall experience using the Da Vinci Xi system. Because of his success he was recently invited to be one of only 6 surgeons to attend the Intuitive Surgical World Wide Meeting. He spoke as a surgeon expert to help improve the knowledge of the attendees and to help them understand the literature, the medical and surgical facts, and the perceptions and interactions from the surgeon’s viewpoint. While he happily fielded questions from all areas he specifically focused on incisional and ventral hernias when interacting with the over 1200 attendees at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He found the 4 day event invigorating and re-energizing. He stated, “It was incredibly exciting to be involved with the company that is providing the technology to take the practice of surgery to unprecedented levels of quality, precision, and improvement in patient care!”
Dr. Harkins is recognized as a world leader in experience using the Da Vinci Xi system in General Surgery.
Dr. Brian Harkins is a renowned surgeon specializing in advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical techniques. With a dedication to innovation and personalized patient care, he has transformed countless lives by delivering exceptional outcomes.
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