Tampa Bay surgeons using SPIDER® Surgical System to perform single-incision sleeve gastrectomy

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Dr. Tiffany Jessee, a nationally recognized leader in bariatric surgery, and her colleague, Dr. Robyn Ache, are using the SPIDER® Surgical System to perform the weight-loss procedure through a small, single incision made near the patient’s belly button – resulting in a virtually invisible scar.

According to Ache, “The sleeve gastrectomy is the nation’s fastest growing option for surgically supported weight loss because of its appealing patient benefits. Unlike other weight-loss operations, there is no re-routing of the body’s natural pathway for food, or implantation of a device that requires frequent adjustments.”

During a sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon removes about 80 percent of the stomach, leaving a small tube or sleeve to serve as the patient’s new smaller stomach. A smaller stomach means patients feel satisfied after consuming much less food. Ache reports that her patients are losing 30 to 50 percent of excess weight within six months to a year.

“The sleeve gastrectomy proves to be a safe and extremely effective operation for weight loss,” Jessee stated. “By using the SPIDER Surgical System, we now can perform the procedure with fewer incisions, which means patients have a better cosmetic outcome.”

Last year, the New England Journal of Medicine – one of the world’s most respected peer-reviewed medical journals – published studies demonstrating that sleeve gastrectomy was more effective in treating Type 2 diabetes than medicine, diet and exercise alone.  

The SPIDER Surgical System by TransEnterix completely changes the state of single-incision surgery. Using it, the surgeon makes a small incision, inserts the device and opens it inside the patient’s abdomen like an umbrella. SPIDER’s expansion allows the surgeon to comfortably and precisely manipulate 360-degree-rotating, flexible instruments at angles that enhance her access and dexterity at the operating site. When the procedure is completed, the surgeon closes the system and removes it through the same incision.

Sun Coast Bariatrics offers a comprehensive and compassionate bariatric surgery program that includes patient education and support, nutritional therapy, and individual physical activity consultations and recommendations for patients. To learn more about Sun Coast Bariatrics and its fellowship trained surgeons, visit suncoastbariatrics dot com.

The SPIDER Surgical System’s expansion ability and flexible instruments are proprietary technologies created by TransEnterix; they won’t be found in any other system. Surgeons worldwide are using the system to successfully treat obesity and a variety of general surgery conditions. To see how it works, visit spidersurgery dot com.

TransEnterix is a cutting-edge medical device company that develops pioneering technologies to advance minimally invasive surgery. To learn more, visit transenterix dot com.