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SA is on the cusp of a revolution in robotic prostate and kidney cancer treatment, says one of the world’s top urologists and a leading robotic surgeon, Dr Vipul Patel.
Patel, who travels the world educating physicians on robotic surgery, is in SA for a three-day conference hosted by The Urology Hospital (TUH) in Pretoria from Thursday. He says robotics is now the standard care for almost 90% of urological cancer procedures in the US and is set to follow the same trend in this country.
Robotic prostatectomies (removal of cancerous prostate) are now established in SA and the first partial nephrectomy (partial removal of cancerous kidney) is set to take place at TUH next month. Patel said: “South Africa now has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment and become the standard of care in this country over the next several years”.
Patel has performed more than 8 500 robotic prostatectomies and leads one of the world’s most experienced robotic surgery teams. Robotic surgery was introduced to SA at TUH two years ago. Since then, 700 prostatectomies have been undertaken in the country — 400 at TUH. Patel has performed almost 9 000 robotic procedures over the last decade.
The Urology Hospital, which is the only centre of urological excellence in Africa with 20 leading urologists under one roof, is set to undertake the country’s first robotic partial nephrectomy in November, paving the way for further procedures once approved by medical aids.
TUH urologist, Dr Frans van Wijk, explained that robotic kidney procedures would have similar benefits to robotic prostatectomies. “Robotics is the most minimally invasive surgery available, resulting in much quicker recovery time, much lower blood loss and far less pain.”
“Robotics has proved itself at The Urology Hospital over the past two years and we’re excited to hear from Dr Patel how we can further address cancer and reconstructive treatment through new robotic procedures,” added Dr van Wijk.
About The Urology Hospital:
The Urology Hospital has been in existence for 19 years and is the only specialised urology hospital in Africa. It strives to be ‘Outstanding due to Excellence’. Twenty top urologists are based at the hospital, offering unparalleled expertise under one roof.
The Urology Hospital uses highly specialised technology, focusing inter alia on prostate disease/cancer, kidney stones, bladder problems, urological cancer management, female urology and paediatric urology. Other common procedures include prostatectomies, nephrectomies (surgical removal of kidney), partial nephrectomies, circumcisions, vasectomies and male infertility. The hospital works closely with The Department of Urology at the University of Pretoria’s Medical School to ensure the highest standard of trained staff at all times.
About Dr Patel MD, FACS:
- Medical director of the Global Robotics Institute at Florida Hospital Celebration Health and medical director of the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute Urologic Oncology Program.
- Professor of Urology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, Florida.
- Clinical associate professor of Urology at Nova Southeastern University, also in Orlando. He is the founder of the International Prostate Cancer Foundation (IPCF) and a founding member of the Society of Robotic Surgery.
- Editor emeritus of The Journal of Robotic Surgery and editor of the first-ever robotic urology textbook and started robotic surgery programs or performed surgery throughout the United States and in countries, including India, Sweden, Belgium, Venezuela, Turkey, Australia and South Korea.
- Previously served as director of the Robotic Surgery Program at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, prior to joining Florida Hospital Celebration Heath in 2008. During his tenure, he was in charge of minimally invasive urologic surgery and associate professor of urology and bioinformatics.
