Robotic Surgery Expert Joins Children’s National Medical Center

Robotic Surgery Expert Joins Children’s National Medical Center

Washington, DC (Vocus) October 27, 2010

Children’s National Medical Center has appointed Craig Peters, MD, chief of Surgical Technology and Translation in the Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Center for Surgical Care and Principal Investigator in the Bioengineering Initiative of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. Dr. Peters has a special interest in applying robotics in pediatric surgery, which to date has not benefited fully from these advanced technologies. His research will focus on customized surgical planning and evaluation, enhanced visualization during surgery, and minimal and noninvasive surgical methods. Clinically, Dr. Peters joins Children’s Division of Urology where he will treat infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of urological disorders.

“Robotic surgery has been my passion for the last eight or nine years of my work in minimally invasive surgery in urology,” Dr. Peters said. “The potential exists for robotic technology to improve surgery for children through better visualization, manipulation of tissues, and access to small areas. The Sheikh Zayed Institute provides unparalleled opportunities and resources to lead a paradigm shift in surgery toward greater precision and better outcomes.”

The Sheikh Zayed Institute, which aims to make surgery more precise, less invasive, and pain free, is made possible by a 0 million gift from the Government of Abu Dhabi. The Bioengineering Initiative supports those goals by harnessing the full power of science and technology to make treatment more precise.

“Dr. Peters is an important part of our growing team of surgeons, researchers, and engineers that is coming together to transform children’s surgery,” said Kurt Newman, MD, senior vice president for the Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Center for Surgical Care and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. “Robotics is an important part of that effort because it can improve how we as surgeons see and navigate within a child’s body. The benefit to children is less painful procedures and more successful outcomes.”

Dr. Peters comes to Children’s National Medical Center from the University of Virginia where he was the John E. Cole Professor of Urology and Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Urology at the University of Virginia Health System. Previously, he was at Children’s Hospital in Boston, where his group established the largest pediatric urologic robotics program. Dr. Peters received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“I think robotics does need to be seen as a new surgical paradigm,” Dr. Peters said. “It has the potential to enhance our interactions with patients in multiple ways to improve outcomes and reduce morbidity. The tools we have today are first generation technologies. It is exciting to have the chance to participate in their evolution and further development through research here at the Institute.”

Related links:

Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Medical Center
Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Center for Surgical Care
Division of Urology

Contact: Jennifer Stinebiser or Paula Darte: 202-476-4500.

About Children’s National Medical Center

Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation’s children since 1870. Home to Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. With 283 beds, more than 1,330 nurses, 550 physicians, and seven regional outpatient centers, Children’s National is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the Washington metropolitan area. Children’s National has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet® designated hospital, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence that a medical center can achieve. For more information, visit http://www.ChildrensNational.org, receive the latest news from the Children’s National press room, or follow us Facebook and Twitter.

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Video Presentation on Understanding Back Surgery

Great video on understanding disc replacement back surgery.

Spine Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Performs First U.S. Neck Fusion

San Francisco – Spine surgeon Dr. Kenneth recently performed the first neck fusion reversal done in the United States.

The procedure relieved years of pain for “Bobbie Jo”, a 40 year-old Santa Rosa, CA woman who had a cervical (neck) fusion performed years ago after suffering an injury.

“Many fusions should not be done as a first choice”, says Dr. Light.

In the past, the only course of treatment for many patients has been a spinal fusion procedure which is done to stabilize the spine and to prevent further damage to the injured area. However, spinal fusion has several disadvantages including a variable loss of range of movement in the treated areas and, in many cases, recurring pain and further damage to the spine.

After examination, Dr. Light suggested that Bobbie Jo consider another approach – total disc replacement using a device called the “ProDisc-C Implant”. Says Dr. Light, “Artificial disc replacement is an attempt to fix complicated neck and back problems.” The implant has been designed to maintain the physiological range of motion in the spine. An added benefit is shortened recovery time for most patients. “I believe that artificial disc replacement will eventually replace 70% to 80% of all spinal fusion surgeries,” says Dr. Light.

Over 150,000 spinal fusions are performed in the U.S. each year to treat injuries or degenerative disease. Dr. Light says that is way too many. He says that the basic principal used in spinal fusions performed on the neck or back vertebrae hasn’t changed since the 1890′s. More importantly, the actual results of spinal fusion hasn’t improved in 60 years, he says.

The doctor has x-rays showing the woman’s neck fused and how it now appears, after the fusion reversal procedure. She now shows greatly improved range of movement than was possible with the fusion in place.

Dr. Light, who is often referred to as “the doctor of last resort” for patients with back problems and injuries says that fusions are appropriate in many cases, especially where no other treatment will help. “However, there are now alternatives that can help a person regain full movement and mobility, rather than having their vertebrae “frozen”, which can lead to significant side effects including pain and increased stress to adjacent vertebrae,” says Dr. Light. “In some cases the fusion will heal in the wrong position, causing a tilting of the spine.”

Dr. Light believes that many more physicians will soon consider alternatives to spinal fusion in order to give patients an improved quality of life.

For more information, visit www.drkennethlight.com or call 425.673.4500

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