Sinai Hospital's Yassar Youssef, M.D., has become the first surgeon in Maryland to perform 100 procedures by using the da Vinci® Surgical System to remove a patient's gallbladder through only one small incision in the navel.
Youssef, a general surgeon who heads Sinai's Division of Robotic Surgery, has been performing this procedure, also known as da Vinci Single-Site® cholecystectomy, since last November. To date, none of these cases have involved major complications or the need for Youssef to convert them from minimally invasive into traditional procedures that would involve a large, open incision.
"We are delighted that in less than a year, Dr. Youssef has become the most practiced surgeon in the state with this approach to gallbladder surgery," says Amy Perry, president of Sinai Hospital. "During this time, more than 25 surgeons have come to Sinai to watch Dr. Youssef perform this impressive procedure."
Because having the gallbladder removed in this fashion allows for just one incision to be made in the navel, patients are left without any visible scars. The minimally invasive approach also reduces risk for blood loss and infection, lessens pain, and hastens recovery.
Study finds lack of preventative care for children with sickle cell anemia