NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk performs first robotic cancer surgeries

Continuing its transformation since joining NYU Langone Health, the operative team at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk recently performed four complex robotic surgeries that had never been offered at the facility before, three of which successfully removed cancerous tumors from patients. These procedures mark a significant milestone for the hospital and, more importantly, the patients who are now able to receive innovative, high-quality surgical care right in their community.

These highly complex robotic surgeries are transforming patient care, enabling greater precision, faster recovery times, and better outcomes. The procedures are part of the more than 2,000 robotic surgeries we've performed on campus, a milestone made possible by the incredible support of our entire health system. That support is the driving force behind delivering world-class care to the residents of Suffolk County."

Marc S. Adler, MD, senior vice president and chief of hospital operations at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk

Megan D. Winner, MD, chief of surgery at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk, performed three of the procedures:

• A minimally invasive robotic Whipple procedure, also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, was performed on a patient with pancreatic cancer. The procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct while preserving shared blood vessels, and then rebuilding a functional digestive system. The patient was discharged home earlier than expected and is making an impressive recovery.
• A robotic proximal gastrectomy was performed for early-stage gastric (stomach) cancer, preserving healthy stomach tissue and avoiding total removal. This minimally invasive, organ-preserving approach reduces postoperative weight loss and dietary issues. The patient was discharged just two days after surgery, is considered cured, and has experienced no dietary restrictions or weight-related side effects.
• A robotic procedure was performed to treat chronic pancreatitis caused by a pancreatic duct obstruction, creating a new drainage pathway between the pancreas and small intestine. This bypassed a pancreatic stone, preserved pancreatic function, and resolved the patient's pancreatitis-related pain.

Ryan J. Chuang, MD, medical director of the inpatient urology service at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk, successfully performed the first robotic-assisted retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy at the hospital. The procedure, attended remotely by Anthony Corcoran, MD, director of urologic oncology at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, completely removed a cancerous mass on a kidney, while preserving nearly all the affected kidney. The retroperitoneal approach, which involves accessing the kidney through the space behind the abdominal cavity where the kidneys are located, is unique even among partial nephrectomies and is often less invasive than the traditional robotic approach. The patient was discharged the next day.

"NYU Langone continues to lead the region in cutting-edge, high-quality cancer care, and I'm honored to lead the team delivering this level of excellence to Suffolk County," said Dr. Winner. "Using advanced robotic techniques, we can precisely target cancer while preserving healthy tissue through minimally invasive procedures that significantly reduce the overall impact of surgery on our patients."

Since its affiliation with NYU Langone Health began in March 2022, surgical cases and other operating room procedures have increased by more than 80 percent. In addition, construction is underway on a new ambulatory surgery center on Patchogue's Main Street to enhance access to surgical services in the community. Set to open in 2026, the state-of-the-art facility will have six operating rooms and four procedure rooms in the heart of downtown Patchogue.