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Extensive experience with the minimally invasive technique has a direct impact on patient safety and recovery / Da-Vinci also used in other areas of the hospital

At the end of November, the Department of Urology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg successfully operated on its 500th patient using a computer-assisted robotic system. This technique was established by the Department of Urology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg less than two years ago. Thanks to the most modern surgical robot currently available, prostate and kidney cancer can now be operated on in Freiburg in a minimally invasive and particularly gentle manner. During this time, the surgical robot has also been established in other specialties. The Departments of General and Visceral Surgery, Thoracic Surgery and Gynecology have also started to perform robot-assisted surgery. This clinical routine pays off for patients in the very high precision of the procedure and, directly linked to this, a high level of patient safety and optimal recovery. The Medical Center - University of Freiburg is currently the only hospital in South Baden to use this robotic system.

Low blood loss and significantly fewer side effects

"I am delighted that we can offer our patients the use of this very precise but highly complex system with so much routine. Patients benefit very directly from the high quality of our work. Blood loss during the operation is minimal and recovery is quick in the vast majority of cases with few complications," says Prof. Dr. Christian Gratzke, Medical Director of the Department of Urology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "Of course, we examine each individual very carefully to determine which surgical method is best for them," emphasizes Gratzke.

Particularly precise incisions using console control

The Da Vinci surgical system has a controllable video system that provides high-resolution 3D images with up to tenfold magnification. It also consists of several finely movable arms: They enable surgeons to make particularly precise incisions that are almost impossible to perform with the human hand. The camera and operating arms are controlled by the surgeon on a specially developed console, which transfers the movements of the finger to the robotic arms.

Surgeons in other areas of the University Hospital also rely on robot-assisted surgery in certain cases. This applies to complex operations in the abdomen, gynecological procedures and on the lungs, among others.

Caption1: Relieved and satisfied after minimally invasive surgery: The 500th patient operated on at the Department of Urology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg using the DaVinci system, together with Prof. Dr. Christian Gratzke, Medical Director of the Department of Urology (right) and Dr. Wael Khoder, Deputy Medical Director of the Department of Urology (left).
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Caption 2: Prof. Dr. Christian Gratzke controls the DaVinci system from the console in the background.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Christian Gratzke
Medical Director Department of Urology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-28910