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The virtual operating room will enable physicians to broadcast surgical procedures to their students. |
A new operating room at NHS is the only one in the region giving surgery a new dimension. The Storz OR1 system gives surgeons infinite possibilities — from the ability to teleconference with other physicians to streaming live video of surgery to a colleague across the country or to a classroom across campus.
“Surgery today is dependent more and more upon computers, video screens and other technologies,” said Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., assistant professor and director of education and training for minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgery at UNMC. “Currently, it is difficult to use all of these technologies together. The benefit of the Storz OR1 system is a seamless integration between man and machine.”
“Surgical nurses no longer have to run from one side of the OR (operating room) to the other to adjust control settings on devices or lighting,” said Shelly Schwedhelm, R.N., director of NHS Perioperative & Emergency Services. “Now, all of those adjustments can be made by the surgeon or the nurse with a touch of a screen. In addition, we can call up radiology images, tissue images, retrieve key clinical data and most anything that the surgeon needs with the touch of a screen.”
In this cutting-edge surgical suite, the laparoscopic equipment is located off the floor on booms that swivel and move with ease rather than the current method of moving heavy video cart towers while maneuvering around cords. This allows the surgical team more time to focus on the procedure itself. At the surgeon’s fingertips is the ability to teleconference, tele-illustrate, send video to faraway places, and access the Internet during surgery.
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From the Eppley Science Hall, Mark Emodi and Thomas Howard, M.D., watch as Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., dissects a gallbladder in an NHS operating room. |
The Storz OR1 compliments the daVinci surgical robot. By integrating the robot’s video signal, surgeons can combine the two technologies. “The surgeon benefits from efficiency and integration,” Dr. Oleynikov said. “The staff benefits from the ability to control all aspects of the OR from one central location and the patient benefits from having a more streamlined experience, often leading to shortened OR times and quicker recovery.”
The Storz OR1 is the only system of its kind in Nebraska. It will enhance and support a variety of different procedures including all current minimally invasive surgery, orthopaedic, urologic, obstetrical and gynecologic surgeries as well as many others.
The new, high-tech, OR can accommodate a wider range of surgical procedures with a quicker turnover time. “Having all of our new OR suites with basic laparoscopic setups will allow more efficient use of the OR’s versus specialization of a few with limited access,” Schwedhelm said. “In addition, the equipment can be programmed for various surgical procedures customized to surge on preference. This will significantly reduce set up time.”
The first surgical procedure in the new OR suite took place last week. The patient had her gall bladder removed and went home from the hospital the same day. She reports that she is feeling great and is ready to return to work.