Wilford Hall doctor performs first Air Force robot-assisted surgery

Published April 17, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kyle Weld performed the first robot-assisted surgery in the Air Force at Wilford Hall Medical Center April 10.

The surgery was a laparoscopic prostatectomy, or the surgical removal of prostate cancer.

"The procedure went great," said Colonel Weld, 59th Surgical Specialties Squadron Endourology director. "The patient went home on schedule with minimal blood loss and pain."

The surgical robot provides a magnified, high-definition, three-dimensional view for the physician. It converts the surgeon's hand movements into very precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient. This state-of-the-art surgical system provides the least invasive and most precise procedures for the hospital's patients.

"Our residents will also benefit from their exposure to this advanced surgical technique," Colonel Weld said.

Colonel Weld and Lt. Col. (Dr.) Sam Hakim, 59th SSS Urology Flight commander, trained on the robot at a civilian hospital and have years of laparoscopic surgery experience.

Other uses for the robot in urology include partial nephrectomies, or kidney removals, and pyeloplasties, a specific type of kidney reconstruction procedure. It can also be used in other fields of surgery including gynecology, cardiovascular, general surgery and otolaryngology.

More robot-assisted surgeries are already scheduled at Wilford Hall.

The center received the first robot in March, at a cost of more than $1 million. Funding was requested for a second robot, intended to go to the 59th Clinical Research Division for training purposes.

"There is not another robot available in San Antonio in an animal laboratory for training purposes," Colonel Weld said. "This equipment will provide invaluable training experience for our medical residents and staff."