REMINDER: ORLive Presents: Minimally Invasive Robotic Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer

Live Webcast: From Northwestern Memorial Hospital: July 17, 2008 at 3:00 PM CDT (20:00 UTC)

CHICAGO, IL–(EMWNews – July 17, 2008) – M. Patrick Lowe, MD, renowned robotic surgeon

and gynecologic oncologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, will

demonstrate the use of robotic surgery to treat endometrial cancer via a

live interactive webcast on EMWNews“>www.or-live.com Thursday, July 17

at 3:00 p.m. CDT.

Dr. Lowe, director of the robotics and minimally invasive surgical program

for the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at

Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, was among the early

adopters of robotics to treat gynecologic malignancies, citing

precision, improved dexterity and superior patient outcomes among the

benefits.

“Women diagnosed with a gynecologic malignancy want the

shortest route leading back to a degree of normalcy post treatment,” says

Lowe. “EMWNews“>Robotic

surgery offers the path of least resistance, combining shorter recovery

times with superior outcomes.”

Northwestern Memorial is home to the only dedicated surgical robotics

program for gynecologic malignancies in Illinois, and one of only a few in

the country. Lowe has been using robotics for gynecology patients since

2006, shortly after it was approved for use by the Food and Drug

Administration, and treats an estimated 50 percent of all endometrial

cancer patients and 60 percent of all cervical cancer patients using EMWNews“>minimally invasive

robotic surgery.

When compared to traditional surgery, studies have demonstrated that

minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of endometrial cancer offer

patients similar survival with the added benefits of a shorter hospital

stay, quicker recovery, decreased blood loss during surgery, decreased pain

and improved quality of life. In addition, patients experience less

scarring and reduced incidence of infection. This is encouraging news to

the thousands of women diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer

annually.

“Surgical

robotics provides improved visualization, dexterity and precision over

current conventional laparoscopy and expands the range of surgical options

for many of our patients at Northwestern,” says Lowe. “We are not

advocating for an end to traditional procedures, as they will always remain

viable options for combating this killer of women. We simply want women to

be educated about all available treatments including minimally invasive

surgery to fight this disease.”

“It’s important that patients understand the options available to them, and

that physicians be aware of surgical advancements such as the application

of robotic surgery for gynecology malignancies so they can educate and

refer patients for specialized care,” says Lowe.

To learn more and view a program preview visit EMWNews“>OR-Live

VNR: www.or-live.com