Bloodless Prostate Cancer Surgery Performed On Jehovah's Witness Patient

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Cancer / Oncology;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 30 May 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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When going under a surgeon's knife, most of us would rather avoid substantial blood loss or having to have a blood transfusion during a procedure. Like general anesthesia, a blood transfusion adds potential risks and possible complications to an otherwise minimally invasive surgery. For some people, the prospect of substantial blood loss creates a profound personal or religious provocation. Medical procedures involving blood loss are specifically prohibited by religious faiths, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses. They believe that the Bible prohibits storage, consumption or transfusion of human blood, even in cases of medical emergency. Their faith's "blood doctrine" prohibits surgical procedures involving the transfusion of allogeneic whole blood.

In instances where there are specific prohibitions, individual Jehovah's Witnesses often have to consult with their doctors then make a personal decision. That's precisely the situation that Reginald found himself in when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 55-years-old.

Even if traditionally invasive open surgery had been an option, Reginald's relatively young age at 55 allowed for a less traumatic, nerve-sparing prostate cancer treatment called a da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy. Taking advantage of the da Vinci robot's improved operative dexterity and superior magnification, a surgeon makes five keyhole incisions rather than the six-inch invasive incision required for open prostatectomy. Smaller incisions mean less nerve damage, less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster catheter removal. Most importantly, in Reginald's case, the da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy could be performed with less than 100CCs of blood loss, which is insignificant, and would not challenge his religious beliefs.

Says Reginald, "My wife and I were convinced that prostate cancer surgery using the da Vinci Robot was my best option. I explored options like radiation, but the treatments seemed to be very invasive and could compromise my quality of life. That's when I learned about a doctor in New York, David B. Samadi, and the da vinci robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy, from my urologist. Following my telephone inquiry, Doctor Samadi contacted me immediately, set up a consultation and shortly thereafter, performed the prostate cancer treatment using the da Vinci system. My recovery is going great and my life is almost back to normal."

Reginald further explains, "People can be terribly condescending when it comes to faith, especially when you care enough to apply it to your life in a practical way. Not Doctor Samadi, which makes an outstanding impression. He's all about fighting cancer, along with being attentive and showing respect for my faith. Dr. Samadi is a friend as well as my doctor. I'm very thankful we met."

About David B. Samadi, M.D., and Roboticoncology.com

David B. Samadi, M.D., is Chief of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan, New York. He's a board-certified urologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of urologic diseases -- kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and of course prostate cancer. He is one of the very few urologic oncology surgeons worldwide trained in robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgery.

http://www.roboticoncology.com