High School Students Meet DaVinci

Nearly 60 students from Benson, Catlin Gable, Tualatin and Wilsonville high schools are now on a first-name basis with da Vinci, a surgical robot in use at OHSU for minimally invasive surgery, including procedures such as radical prostatectomies. The students, all interested in either healthcare careers or robotics, were part of the first OHSU Student Watch in June.

Faculty members greeted the students, provided information on prostate cancer and its treatment, and explained the procedure and benefits of robotic surgery before entering the operating suite to perform a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. Our Urologic Oncology surgeons are member of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, they are recognized internationally as experts in the treatment of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer.

A live video feed from the operating room allowed students to watch the surgery as it happened. Sokoloff  verbally walked them through the procedure and responded to questions during the case. Throughout the morning, the students were able to test their skills at picking up objects and tying sutures using laparoscopic and minimally-invasive training simulators.

OHSU is national leader in the expertise and infrastructure to provide patients with da Vinci robotic surgery. In addition to prostate surgery, OHSU uses the robot for gynecologic surgery, and will soon use da Vinci for pediatric urological and cardiac operations.

This robotic technology allows surgeons to perform very complex operations using a minimally-invasive approach. This helps patients heal faster with fewer adverse side effects.