For Immediate Release
September 21, 2005

Roswell Park Opens State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Surgical Center

BUFFALO, NY – Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has opened a newly-constructed state-of-the-art Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Center to bring this next generation of surgery to more cancer patients, advance the specialty through research and clinical trials, and provide educational opportunities to physicians and nurses.

The Center features two technologically advanced, fully integrated surgical suites and adjacent observation and teleconference rooms. One suite houses the da Vinci® surgical robotics system and both suites are fully equipped to accommodate a broad array of MIS procedures.

MIS procedures are an alternative to traditional open surgery at RPCI for many patients with thoracic, gastrointestinal, urologic, gynecologic, head and neck and neurologic cancers. Most patients have less pain and recover faster, and benefit further from improved staging and less delay to other treatments. The number of patients treated with MIS procedures at Roswell Park has tripled in the last three years.

“Computers and robots have now entered the complex and dynamic environment of the operating room,” said David C. Hohn, MD, President & CEO, RPCI. “Roswell Park believes it has an obligation to its patients to be at the leading edge in cancer surgery and has met that obligation with the opening of this Center.”

The new OR suites feature digital imagery, flat screen plasma monitors, DVD recording capability, mounted booms with high resolution displays, high speed network connectivity, voice and touch activated controls, and access to diagnostic images during procedures. Light intensity, image resolution, and picture-in-picture image control is available at the sterile field with a touch of a button or by voice activation. A fully automated and integrated nurse’s station was ergonomically designed with input from RPCI nursing staff.

“With the opening of the MIS Center, surgeons will be using one of the most comprehensively integrated surgical suites in the region,” said Boris Kuvshinoff, MD, Surgical Director, RPCI.

Heavy equipment is now neatly housed within carriers suspended from ceiling mounted booms that can be easily maneuvered into position. Bulky TV monitors are replaced by sleek, flat-panel screens suspended from arms that bring the images into the surgical field in line with the surgeon’s hands and eyes.”

The Roswell Park MIS Center also offers a wide range of opportunities for education and research using digital imaging, telemedicine, and robotics. The combination observation and teleconferencing room allow for training of future surgeons seeking advanced training in MIS. “RPCI will lead the way in documenting the viability of the new surgical therapies through clinical research,” Dr. Kuvshinoff explained.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center, and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit the RPCI website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724)or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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