HEALTH & FITNESS THE PARK LIVING Lechnology Minimally Invasive Karmanos surceons excel at robotic surgery. Michael L. Cher, M.D. Special to the Jewish News A Karmanos Institute in Detroit. it's not enough just to house the best in high- tech surgical equipment. It's how to use that technology that counts. One prime example of how JUST DECIDED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE ANYMORE: Karmanos surgeons have mastered technology is our use of the da Vinci Surgical System. Our highly trained surgeons who focus on treating prostate. urologic and gynecologic cancers have used this innovative robotic system for five years. (along new friends is one of life's greatest pleasures. Residents of The Park at Trowbridge often become re- energized \ ‘-ith a whole new zest for life as they make new experience an invigorating sense of independence, freedom The da Vinci Surgical System allows me and my fellow surgeons to perform complicated surgery — such as prostate cancer surgery — with greater dexterity, all while and optimism. being less invasive to the patient. friends with people their own age, people they can relate to. See for yourself why seniors living at The Park at Trowbridge Your story continues here.. CTibe Mi/d For more information or to visit, call today! at Trowbridge (248) 352-0208 24111 Civic Center Drive Southfield, MI 4 80 33 HORIZON BAY I www.horizonbay.corn Yoga, Meditation, Tatiana. certified by Doreen Virtue Ph.D. August 28th & 29th for Angel Workshops with Healing & Harmonizing Life!! Avurveda, Reiki & Massage Billie Tobin: Perfect Health Instructor certified in Deepak Chopra Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, & Reiki Master 48-350 1500 www.innerwisdomtoday.com T: Keep your company top of mind with our readers. ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107 Visit Aonline.us June 25 . 2009 iN Rs! short. Hospital stays are minimal, and there is less pain and scarring and less risk of infection. As a surgeon performing nerve- sparing radical prostatectomy. I set as my goal to remove the tumor, while Besides treating prostate and gynecologic cancers, Karmanos sur- at the same time avoiding any injury to adjacent tissues and thus preserve continence (the ability to control the geons also use the da Vinci system to treat patients with bladder cancer and kidney tumors. In fact, robotic bladder) and sexual function. Our surgeons' superlative skill using the da Vinci Surgical System for surgery is now the preferred surgical approach for technically-demand- ing kidney cancer surgery where the prostate cancer surgery has proven to reduce the potential for urinary and sexual side effects. My colleagues tumor is removed without removing the kidney itself. As one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive and I use the da Vinci's master control console to maneuver the patient-side cart's four robotic arms, which secure- cancer centers in the United States, our standards are set high in how we ly hold the surgical instruments and high-resolution camera. approach the fight against cancer. Another invaluable aspect of our The robotic instruments on the da Vinci system provide us greater Nutrition, Life Coaching, System. The system's 3-D stereo viewer eight Loss & We welcome back from Angel Therapy Practitioner , Dr. Cher with the da Vinci Surgical lets us view anatomy in high magni- fication, in vivid color, and in natural depth of field, without having to make large incisions. Exercise Classes, A28 t the Barbara Ann range of motion than standard lapa- roscopic instruments and provide dexterity and a flexibility of move- ment similar to a tiny human wrist. The da Vinci's safety features also reduce the chance of human error and lessen the chance of tremors that are characteristic of the human hand. For the patient, this translates to incisions no larger than about 1 2 cm. There is minimal blood loss dur - - ing surgery and recovery times are philosophy is the team approach to cancer care. Our patients are evalu- ated by a multidisciplinary team of surgical oncologists, medical oncol- ogists, radiation therapists, patholo- gists and radiologists. This multi-specialty approach allows our team to put together comprehensive and individual- ized treatment plans that take into account individual situations. To learn more about the da Vinci Surgical System, visit Karmanos.org or call 1-800-KARMANOS. Michael L. Cher, M.D., is chief of urology at the Karmanos Cancer Center and chair of the Department of Urology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.