Urology

Local Man Strong-Arms Cancer

(The following story appeared in the Niagara Gazette, Monday, February 2, 2004.)

By Tim Marren/Niagara Gazette

Robotic technology is being used to increase precision during urology surgeries at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.

Thomas Opett wasn't about to let prostate cancer control the path his life took.

Instead, the 62-year old found a way robotics could keep him on the route he wants to take.

Opett, diagnosed in August, was the first Niagara County resident to beat prostate cancer with the help of robotics at the Strong Memorial Hospital James P. Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, the first medical center in upstate to offer the high-tech treatment.

His minimally invasive surgery was performed Sept. 16, 2004.

The daVinci Surgical System produces a three-dimensional view inside the body, along with three robotic hands to perform surgical procedures. The view helps urology and cardiac surgeons get a better look at the area while the arms help a surgeon perform the surgery from across the room. Opett first heard of the surgery from his daughter-in-law, who's a nurse in Rochester and had ties to the University of Rochester Medical Center. She recommended he check it out, but it wasn't until he met the doctor that specializes in the procedure that he signed on.

"The doctor I was seeing said there was a colleague of his who was doing this type of surgery and has been very successful," Opett said.

That colleague was Dr. Jean V. Joseph, the urology surgeon who eventually performed Opett's procedure.

"(Joseph) said it's just four small incisions. After talking to him, I made up my mind, Opett said. "Basically, I accidentally came upon it, and I'm glad I did."

More information on the daVinci Surgical System and the laparoscopic prostatectomy procedure.