Brookfield, WI (May 24, 2012) –Wheaton Franciscan-Elmbrook Memorial Campus became the first hospital in Wisconsin to successfully conduct a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) using Single-Site™ Robotic Assisted Surgery instrumentation in conjunction with the da Vinci® Surgical System. In this state-of-the-art surgery, the patient’s gallbladder was surgically removed through a single incision made in the patient’s naval. This premiere case was successfully performed by Manfred Chiang, MD, general surgeon with Elmbrook Memorial’s Surgery Department. Dr. Chiang used the recently FDA approved Single-Site™ Instrumentation, developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., for laparoscopic gallbladder procedures.

“We are using cutting edge technologies to address common, yet often painful surgeries like gallbladder removal,” said Dr. Chiang. “With the da Vinci® and Single Site™ technology, we are now able to provide more precise incisions for gallbladder removal with an incision that is virtually invisible to the patient because we are entering through the patient’s naval. Overall, this advancement allows us to minimize scarring, and ultimately improve the patient’s recovery time and overall outcomes.”

This breakthrough surgery took place March 30, 2012, and since then, more than a dozen additional cases have been completed with similar results.

“The Single-Site™ instrumentation for the da Vinci® allows us to make one incision instead of four incisions, as done with typical laparoscopic procedures,” explains Dr. Chiang. “It is an amazing advancement in the menu of options we can now offer patients.”

Dr. Chiang adds that the technology allows the procedure to be completed in an outpatient setting. Overall the surgery using the Single-Site™ instrumentation takes less time to complete than traditional gallbladder procedures, giving the patient more time to recover and get back to their daily lives.

For more information on this breakthrough surgery, please visit www.mywheaton.org/surgery.