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Newark, NJ—On September 15, Liberty Science Center will broadcast robotic surgery live to Scotland where Scottish students from two schools can marvel at the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery and interact with the surgical staff.
Michael C. Pitter, MD, Chief of Gynecological Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) in Newark, will answer questions as he performs a live myomectomy, or removal of uterine fibroids, using the da Vinci® Surgical System.
The Liberty Science Center’s “Live From…” gives young people the opportunity to gain knowledge of new surgical techniques through real time procedures. Fifteen high school-age students from Livingston, a community outside of Edinburgh, and 28 students from Inverness, have read coursework about the procedure ahead of time and will watch the live surgery, which will last approximately an hour. Previously NBIMC broadcast cardiac and kidney surgeries to Scottish students at these sites.
“I am really excited about this opportunity to broadcast internationally to Scottish students,” says Dr. Pitter. “These areas have very little information about minimally invasive surgery and it is extremely gratifying to share this knowledge with them.”
The Inverness students live in a rural location, so they are particularly enthusiastic to watch something they would not otherwise be able to access, reports Amanda McMahon, public relations for Johnson & Johnson, who funds the Bridge to Employment initiative telecasts.
“I am always pleasantly surprised by the level of detail of the questions and their high intelligence,” says Dr. Pitter. “The students are being challenged above their grade level, but the challenge works both ways. Their questions help me to carry out future presentations. I learn as much from them as they do from me.”
Live Surgery Thrills Students Abroad and at Home
Students from local middle and high schools, colleges and universities across New Jersey have watched live simulcasts of robotic surgeries being performed by Dr. Pitter. He is one of the foremost authorities in gynecological robotic surgery and trains surgeons from all over the world in the application of this technology. Dr. Pitter credits his undergraduate training as an engineer for helping him to embrace new technology.
For this procedure, Dr. Pitter views the surgical field on a 3D monitor and uses hands-on master controls to direct the da Vinci® Surgical System. He works through tiny 1-2 cm incisions. The console has robotic arms that enhance the surgeon's dexterity and range of motion. As a result, damage to nerves and muscle is reduced and blood loss, pain and recovery time are minimized.
When his surgery is viewed in Scotland and at home, Dr. Pitter hopes that students watching might feel a spark of an interest in the medical field. One New Jersey student who watched his surgery has already worked as a summer intern for Dr. Pitter.
“That is the reason I participate, to encourage investigation in science and to further an understanding of the bioengineering aspects of advanced medicine,” adds Dr. Pitter. “It is very rewarding to know that this has impacted students positively and guided their future career choices.
For More Information
For more information contact the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at (973) 926-7342. The Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery is part of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NBIMC, which provides comprehensive care for women of all ages.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional care teaching hospital, provides comprehensive health care to its local communities and is a major referral and treatment center for the northern New Jersey metropolitan area. With more than 800 physicians, 3,200 employees and 150 volunteers, the Medical Center has over 300,000 outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions annually. For more information, please call Newark Beth Israel Medical Center at (973) 926-7000, or visit www.barnabashealth.org. For physician referral information, please call 1-888-724-7123. Follow us on Twitter: get real time news from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health.
Date: September 8, 2010
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@barnabashealth.org
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