An LCMC Health doctor performs a groundbreaking lung cancer procedure. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude of East Jefferson General Hospital performed the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie, who is now cancer free.
“When we do a robotic surgery for lung cancer, we usually use four or five incisions that go between the ribs. This technique only uses one incision,” Abi Jaoude explained.
Dr. Abi Jaoude says through this single incision, he’s able to do the exact same thing that he’s able to do with the traditional multiple incisions. But by using that one incision measuring between two and seven centimeters long along with the Vinci Single Port Robotic Surgical System, that provides great benefits to the patient.
“That basically translates to less pain, because you are avoiding the ribs altogether; there’s less inflammation in the chest, and potentially less complication,” Abi Jaoude noted.
Abi Jaoude says while that certainly results in reduced recovery times, they’re not quite at the point where the procedure could be an outpatient procedure just yet.
“They are at a stage where they are able to send their patients home the next day. Sending patients home the same day, after lung surgery, has not happened yet,” Abi Jaoude said.
Dr. Abi Jaoude is currently the only surgeon in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi offering the single-port robotic lung cancer surgery.