CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Novare Surgical Systems announced the successful completion of a series of single port Lap-Band procedures that results in reduced scarring and less postoperative pain for patients. Dr. Julio Teixeira at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital has pioneered an innovative approach that allows for the entire Lap-Band procedure to be performed exclusively through the patient’s belly button and he is believed to be the first surgeon to successfully do so. Dr. Teixeira uses RealHand HD instruments to enable the procedure and his approach eliminates an upper abdominal trocar placement that is often a site for significant patient discomfort.
“This is a major step toward reducing pain and recovery time for bariatric patients,” said Dr. Teixeira. “By reducing the operative site to one single incision in the belly button we are also able to significantly improve cosmetic results for our patients,” continued Dr. Teixeira. “The dexterity and control afforded by the RealHand HD instruments now opens the door for single port lap band procedures to be done safely and effectively through one single incision.”
“Dr. Teixeira’s impressive accomplishment represents a potential shift in the way gastric banding procedures will be performed,” said Kerry Pope, Novare Surgical’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Offering patients a path to less pain and scarring is clearly an advancement and the access that RealHand provides is a cornerstone of this innovation.”
The Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System (manufactured by Allergan Inc.) is a silicone band that is surgically placed to reduce the amount of food a patient can hold in his or her stomach. The band helps patients control food intake and supports long term, sustainable weight loss. Although this procedure is performed laparoscopically, it typically requires at least five abdominal incisions.
Single Port laparoscopy is an advanced minimally invasive approach in which the surgeon operates exclusively through a single entry point, typically the patient’s belly button. All of the instruments necessary for the surgery are used through this single incision. After surgery, the scar is almost completely hidden inside the belly button.
About RealHand(R) High Dexterity (HD) Instruments for Minimally Invasive Surgery
RealHand HD instruments are the very first full range of motion hand-held laparoscopic instruments. RealHand technology is designed to mirror the surgeon’s hand direction with the added benefit of tactile feedback. As such, when the surgeon’s hand moves in one direction, the instrument tip exactly follows.
Unlike standard laparoscopic instrumentation, RealHand offers complete 7 degrees of freedom of movement in a hand-held instrument and with no need for additional hardware. Moreover, RealHand will enable surgeons to perform more difficult maneuvers that otherwise cannot be completed with traditional rigid instruments. RealHand HD instruments make it easy to actively manipulate and complete tasks regardless of whether the instrument is positioned over, under, or around structures.
RealHand HD instruments provide for greater dexterity and control around critical structures and vasculature. The increase in range of motion is leading the way in the development of new surgical approaches and techniques. RealHand instruments have received FDA 510(k) clearance and the CE mark.
About Novare Surgical Systems
Based in Cupertino, Calif., Novare Surgical Systems was originally founded in 1999. RealHand was developed entirely at Novare Surgical and represents a shift in the company’s focus toward devices for minimally invasive surgery. For more information, visit the company’s web site at http://www.novaresurgical.com.
CONTACT: Kerry Pope, President and CEO of Novare Surgical Systems Inc.,
+1-408-873-3161, kpope@novaresurgical.com
Web site: http://www.novaresurgical.com/
