HARRISBURG, PA--(MARKET WIRE)--Aug 29, 2008 -- On Wednesday, September 17 at 6 p.m., PinnacleHealth will broadcast a minimally invasive hysterectomy, performed by Gregory Willis, DO, online. During the broadcast, Dr. Willis, surgeon and gynecologic oncologist at PinnacleHealth, will complete a total hysterectomy with lymph node dissection for a patient diagnosed with uterine cancer. Dr. Willis will be available to answer questions electronically from the online audience during the premiere.

Source: OR-Live, Inc. Robotic techniques are becoming the standard of care in this field, and many patients need no medication and experience no pain the day after surgery ·  Hysterectomy ·  OR-Live

Since 2007, Dr. Willis and his partner, Jose Misas, MD, have performed more than 70 surgeries with the assistance of the da Vinci® S(TM) surgical system. This minimally invasive technique reduces the chance of infection, shortens hospital stay and improves recovery time.

"We are able to perform highly complicated procedures through minimally invasive means," says Dr. Willis. "Robotic techniques are becoming the standard of care in this field, and many patients need no medication and experience no pain the day after surgery."

Patients treated with robotic-assisted minimally invasive hysterectomy experience less blood loss, less post-operative pain, less risk of infection and quicker return to normal activities than those treated by traditional open hysterectomy.

In addition, the da Vinci® S(TM) Surgical System allows surgeons to:

 
--  View the surgical field more clearly, reducing blood loss because
    small blood vessels are recognized and controlled more easily
--  Have a full range of motion, mimicking the twist of the human wrist
--  Work from all different angles
--  Eliminate natural hand tremors
--  Simultaneously view the surgical field, electronic diagnostic images

About PinnacleHealth

PinnacleHealth includes four campuses (Community, Cumberland, Harrisburg and Polyclinic), FamilyCare physician practices, home health and hospice services, FirstPlace urgent care center and an array of healthcare services.

For a complete list of services or to find a physician in your area, visit our website at www.pinnaclehealth.org.

About the da Vinci® S(TM) Surgical System

The da Vinci® S(TM) Surgical System is breakthrough medical technology, enabling surgeons to perform more precise minimally invasive surgery with the assistance of robotics. While seated at a console a few feet away from the patient, a surgeon using the da Vinci® S(TM) Surgical System views a 3-D image of the surgical field and uses mechanical "hands" to perform delicate maneuvers. This technology translates the surgeon's movements into precise, real-time movements of the surgical instruments actually operating on the patients.

da Vinci® is a registered trademark of Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NasdaqGS:ISRG - News)

To View a preview of this program and learn more visit OR-Live

VNR: www.OR-Live.com

Video-Link Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=824150

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