DOTHAN, AL (October 5, 2011) – Flowers Hospital has completed its first partial nephrectomy surgery utilizing a new near-infrared fluorescence imaging guided system. A partial nephrectomy is the removal of part of the kidney instead of the entire kidney as a treatment for kidney tumors. The da Vinci Si Surgical System is the most advanced robotic surgical system available on the market that offers an enhanced imaging guidance system known as Firefly.

The Firefly system can be used in multiple specialties, but is primarily used for tumor or lymph node identification and selective arterial clamping during kidney saving surgeries for patients with kidney cancer. This technology provides physicians a high-definition image by injecting a green colored dye that is activated through infrared light. The dye allows surgeons to easily differentiate between malignant and normal tissue. As a result, this innovative surgical approach increases the likelihood of removing only the affected portion of the kidney instead of removing the entire kidney. Patients receiving a partial nephrectomy are afforded a higher quality of life and better chance of survival.

“The da Vinci Si Surgical System puts Flowers Hospital on the cutting edge of surgical technology,” said Dr. Jonathan Vukovich, Flowers Hospital Chief of Staff.  “When combined with the immunofluoresence capability of Firefly, this system places Flowers Hospital in a very elite group of hospitals nationwide with this capability. Having just utilized this technology on the first case of its kind in the Wiregrass area, I can personally attest to how the enhanced capability of the Firefly fluorescence and the da Vinci Si led to increased patient safety and an improved clinical outcome in a very challenging kidney cancer case. I am excited to be able to perform this advanced procedure on patients in the Wiregrass and am looking forward to expanding the availability of this new technology.”

In addition to increasing dexterity and control for surgeons, the da Vinci Si Surgical System offers partial nephrectomy patients less pain, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stays, and a lower chance of complications. Most importantly, the new technology offers patients more minimally invasive procedure options.

About Flowers Hospital

Flowers Hospital has served the healthcare needs of the Wiregrass for over 60 years.  The facility is not only an important resource for the Dothan community, it also serves as a major tertiary referral center for the Tri-State area of south Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida.

By combining responsible personnel of approximately 1,200 employees, modern equipment and supplies, effective management, sophisticated support services, up-to-date professional education programs, and a staff of over 250 exceptional physicians, Flowers Hospital is able to assure patients of quality healthcare.

In September 2011, Flowers Hospital was named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, which is the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. The hospital was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care.