Ochsner 1st in Louisiana to use Robotics in Living-Donor Kidney Transplant for Faster...

Ochsner 1st in Louisiana to use Robotics in Living-Donor Kidney Transplant for
Faster Recovery

NEW ORLEANS, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Ochsner Medical Center (www.ochsner.org)
performed the first robotic-assisted kidney transplant in Louisiana, and one
of only a handful in the nation. Utilizing daVinci robotic technology, Ochsner
transplant surgeons are able to make living-donor kidney transplants easier on
the donor by using smaller incisions, which results in less pain and a faster
recovery. Ochsner performed the operation in July 2009 with successful
outcomes for the recipient and the donor. Ochsner has scheduled additional
robotic-assisted operations in the coming weeks.

"By using the daVinci robot, living-kidney donations can be made through a
smaller incision in the donor and require one overnight stay in the hospital,"
explains Dr. Ari Cohen, Ochsner Transplant Surgeon, Ochsner Multi-Organ
Transplant Institute. "Donating an organ is an important decision, and the
daVinci enables us to make the procedure more comfortable for an individual
who's chosen to save a life. Further, we believe it makes the procedure more
successful, due to the improved precision of the operation." Kidney donors go
on to live normal, healthy lives, free of restrictions.

Dr. Cohen explains that the daVinci robot is only used to remove a kidney, not
to transplant it into a recipient. However, the robotics technology does
benefit the recipient as it enables the surgeon to harvest the organ with
increased precision and dexterity. "The high magnification of the robot allows
us to better visualize and dissect blood vessels, making an intricate
operation even more successful for both patients," says Cohen. Ochsner
physicians also use daVinci technology to perform hysterectomies and
prostatectomies with plans for future use in cardiac procedures.

In 2002, Ochsner surgeons began using a laparoscope to dissect living-donor
kidneys, reducing incisions and improving donor recovery, and robotics has
elevated the procurement process even further. "This is the next level of
technology," says Cohen. "Moving forward, we anticipate procuring all
living-donor kidneys with the help of robotics." This technology isn't
limited to certain individuals; anyone who is a candidate to donate a kidney
is a candidate for this procedure.

According to United National Organ Sharing (UNOS), currently over 1,600 people
in Louisiana and 80,000 nationwide are on kidney transplant waiting lists.
"Hopefully this advancement, with the reduced impact it has on donors and
improved transplant precision, will encourage more people to consider
living-related kidney donations," remarks Cohen.

New Orleans-based Ochsner Medical Center has some of the nation's shortest
wait times and highest success rates for kidney transplantation. Since its
inception, the Ochsner Multi-Organ Transplant Institute has performed over
3,400 life-saving transplants. It is a Medicare approved transplant center for
heart, liver and kidney, a Center of Excellence for most insurers, carries the
Blue Distinction Centers for transplant, and has hotel accommodations on the
premises. For more information, call Ochsner's 24-hour Transplant Hotline at
1-800-643-1635.

SOURCE Ochsner Medical Center

Amiee Goforth of Ochsner Medical Center, +1-504-842-4303,
agoforth@ochsner.org