Central Texas Surgeon Completes 1000th Successful Laparoscopic - Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery.

Prostate Cancer Patients World-Wide Flock to Austin, Texas for Treatment

AUSTIN, Texas -- Dr. Randy Fagin, (www.prostatecenterofaustin.com) who has one of the nation's largest experiences in robotic prostate cancer surgery, announced today that he has completed his 1000th successful laparoscopic - robotic prostatectomy. Out of the nearly 10,000 Urologists in the United States, less than ten have achieved this milestone. daVinci Robotic Prostate Surgery is the latest in cutting edge surgery for cancer of the prostate. In his most recently published data, robotic prostate cancer surgery in Dr. Fagin's hands produces cancer removal rates, urinary control rates, and post-operative erectile function, that meet or exceed those achieved through traditional open surgery. In addition, robotic prostate surgery has already demonstrated benefits of reduced blood loss, reduced need for blood transfusion, shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to full activity as compared to open surgery.

Outcome of Prostate Cancer Surgery Depends on Experience of Surgeon; Steep Learning Curve Found

According to a new study published July 24, 2007, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer patients treated by highly experienced surgeons are much more likely to be cancer-free five years after surgery than patients treated by surgeons with less experience.

"The difference in outcome among patients who were treated by surgeons with varying degrees of experience is clinically relevant and likely reflects a true relationship between surgical technique and cancer control," said the study's lead author Andrew Vickers, PhD, Associate Attending Research Methodologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).

"The daVinci Robot (http://prostatecenterofaustin.com/davinci.php) allows me to perform prostate cancer surgery with better vision, precision, and dexterity and is far less invasive than the traditional open surgery performed by most urologists across the country," said Dr. Randy Fagin. "I had the privilege of training with the originators of laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery in Paris, France and now I train surgeons from all over the world on how to use this revolutionary device to perform prostate cancer surgery. Currently, my practice is focused almost exclusively on prostate cancer and daVinci robotic prostate cancer surgery.

Outcomes from prostate cancer surgery depend heavily on the experience of the surgeon and it is important that patients know about the experience of the surgeon they chose before undergoing prostate surgery."

Instead of making one 5 inch cut through the muscle of the abdomen, the daVinci robotic approach uses 5 small 1/4 inch cuts that do not cut any muscle. Through these cuts, instruments are placed into the abdomen along with a camera that enlarges the view to 10 times magnification. The daVinci robot is a tool used by Dr. Fagin to hold the laparoscopic instruments and camera giving him 3-D magnified vision and improved precision with which Dr. Fagin can perform the operation. "If I can see the structures better, and I have a more precise tool to work with, I can do a better operation," says Dr. Fagin.

About Dr Fagin

Dr. Randy Fagin, who is the Director of the Prostate Center of Austin and Director of Robotic Surgery at The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center, also has one of the top 10 experiences in the country in performing daVinci robotic prostate cancer surgery.