Media Contact: Greg Aune, 715.847.0479

WAUSAU, Wis. – Aspirus Wausau Hospital hit a milestone on Monday as surgeons performed the facility’s 1,000^th surgical procedure using da Vinci robotic technology.

The da Vinci robot, which Aspirus purchased in Sept. 2007, allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and offer patients better outcomes. Initially implemented at Aspirus for use in urology procedures like prostatectomies, the da Vinci robot is becoming a preferred surgical technique whenever appropriate.

“Not everyone with prostate cancer is a candidate to undergo surgery with da Vinci and all surgeries carry risks, but the robot does greatly lower the likelihood of complications,” said Benjamin Battino, M.D., an Aspirus Network urologist with Urology Specialists of Wisconsin, S.C. who was among the first physicians to perform robotic procedures at Aspirus. “It’s important to be able to offer the latest technology and treatment alternatives, and da Vinci allows me to offer a less invasive treatment to my patients.”

The da Vinci robot has four “arms” equipped with high-powered cameras and surgical instruments that are maneuvered by a surgeon from a control center located near the patient. The technology allows surgeons to operate using only a few small incisions, and gives patients surgical options previously not available for certain conditions. It also offers additional benefits to patients, such as:

• Less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery

The bulk of da Vinci surgical procedures performed at Aspirus have treated urologic and gynecologic conditions. Aspirus surgeons have performed 600 robotic hysterectomies and 316 robotic prostatectomies. The da Vinci robot also has been used at Aspirus to repair vaginal prolapse, remove uterine fibroids and perform kidney procedures.

For some physicians, robotic surgical technology has made such an impact on patient care that it’s rare for them to do particular procedures without the use of da Vinci.

“Da Vinci is the premier way to have a gynecologic intervention because it gives patients the best possible recovery,” said Anthony Bell, D.O., a physician with Aspirus OB/GYN Associates who has performed more than 300 robotic cases. “Da Vinci allows us to remove uterine fibroids with minimal disturbance to the surrounding tissues and other structures, thereby enhancing fertility.”