March 10, 2010 --- From the earliest of times, the phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," has been interpreted in an assortment of ways. A common interpretation is that only you can determine what you perceive to be beautiful. The beauty of the latest procedure, performed exclusively at Physicians Regional Healthcare System, is in its preservation of the patient's beauty by eliminating the need for an incision and subsequent scarring on the neck of those requiring a thyroidectomy.

Physicians Regional's own Jay Roberts, M.D., a board-certified otolaryngologist, or ENT specialist, is performing robotic thyroidectomies using the da Vinci-S Surgical System, one of only six physicians in the country trained to do so at this time. "Frankly, it's too warm in Southwest Florida to wear turtlenecks throughout the year. I am most excited about taking one less worry off of the mind of a patient who needs a thyroidectomy," said Dr. Roberts, when asked about the benefits in using the da Vinci-S system to perform thyroidectomies.

Demographic studies show that the average patients requiring thyroidectomies are women between the ages of 20 and 40. Imagine being told that you needed a thyroidectomy, due to thyroid carcinoma, six months before you were planning to walk down the aisle and marry the man of your dreams. While a thyroidectomy would be a safe and effective treatment, physicians collectively cringe at the thought of a patient delaying a life-saving procedure to avoid visual scarring.

"The best news is that this is no longer an issue. We can obtain the results we need through a minimally invasive procedure that has real cosmetic benefits. It's not just young women who are excited about it, patients of all ages are delighted to hear about this latest advancement in technology," Dr. Roberts continued.

THE PROCEDURE
Practitioners like to emphasize that the da Vinci-S system is an enhancement for the physician. It is the equivalent of giving them super powers: specifically heightened manual dexterity and 3-D vision. Rest assured that the physician's expertise is the defining factor in any procedure, and they are in control the entire time.

A thyroidectomy is a removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. There are a number of reasons why people might require a partial or total thyroidectomy, including overactive thyroid, thyroid cancer and enlargement of the thyroid.

Exactly how does this approach eliminate the need of a neck incision? The answer (as with most robotic procedures) might surprise you. Robotic thyroidectomy utilizes an axillary approach, which means that one small incision is made under the arm and another in the chest. In many cases, the chest incision is not required.

The da Vinci-S system has four robotic hands, called EndoWrist instruments. While incredibly small, they can grasp things and rotate a full 360 degrees, unlike human hands. This allows the surgeon to make extremely precise movements. Each system has a console, the physician's driver seat, at which the robotic hands are controlled and images are viewed from the 3-D camera, which is also part of the system.

The 3-D capabilities are the second most important component of the system, along with the robotic hands. A high definition camera allows the physician to view a three-dimensional image of the thyroid. It can even zoom to a greater magnification, if necessary. Just think about how much clearer your high definition television makes your favorite show or sporting event. Don't you want your physician to have the best clarity available while working on you?

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Physicians Regional Healthcare System is at the forefront of medicine in performing thyroidectomies and other minimally invasive surgeries, such as bariatric (weight loss), colorectal, gynecology, orthopaedic and urology procedures using robotic technology. It is safe to say that they discovered a recipe for success for thyroidectomies by adding one part highly trained physician, and combining it with an investment in robotic technology. The result is a highly coveted recipe.

"I am so proud of Dr. Roberts and the fact that through his advanced training and the investment in the da Vinci-S system, we have the opportunity to provide patients with a truly innovative and life-changing experience," said Joe D. Pinion, CEO of Physicians Regional Healthcare System. "It's a beautiful thing," Mr. Pinion concluded.

Dr. Roberts is part of Physicians Regional Medical Group, the multi-specialty group practice affiliated with Physicians Regional Healthcare System. To schedule an appointment, please call (239) 348-4400. For more information on robotic thyroidectomies, visit PhysiciansRegional.com.