Robo-Doc Aids Surgeons

Tools

By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Apr 29, 2010 at 6:57 AM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 29, 2010 at 11:07 AM MDT

BILLINGS - It takes a talented team of doctors to perform surgery. Surgeons at the Billings Clinic often enlist the help of a robot.

Laykin Walker, 14, went under the knife Wednesday to remove her kidney. "I was having really bad pains," she said, "couldn't even get out of bed, so I came to the doctor"

"Laykin was born with a condition where the kidney is blocked as it drains from the kidney itself down into a tube," said Billings Clinic Surgeon Dr. Lisa Bland, "her other kidney is functioning normally, it's actually taken on additional responsibility."

So doctors removed the dysfunctioning kidney with the help of a DaVinci robot. "I was nervous," said Laykin, "because it's a robot, not like a person actually doing it." "It's me doing the operation," said Dr. Bland, "I control the robot at all times, it basically interprets my movements and translates them to the part that are attached to Laykin."

The robot has a dedicated surgical team, assisting Dr. Bland as she handles the operation from across the room. It's 1,200 lbs. but it has a fine touch.

"I believe in this technology," said Dr. Bland, "I think it's the most wonderful thing we can do for our patients."

"I felt real comfortable," said Laykin's Mom Jody Mueller, "I was kind of surprised, I wasn't panicked or nervous, I was all for it." She said they wanted to "get it done so (Laykin) can start living her life again and be back to normal."

The robot didn't shorten the length of Laykin's surgery, but it will save her weeks in recovery, and leave her with a smaller scar. Without the robot, she would likely be spending a week in the hospital, instead she could be back in school.

Laykin was out of surgery by 10:30 Wednesday morning. Doctors said she's doing well, and could be back home as early as Thursday.

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