Hackensack University Medical Center Embraces Latest Robotic Surgery Innovations for Pediatric Urology Procedures

Drawing on center’s 25,000 robotic surgery procedure depth of experience, pediatric urologists bring latest technology and recovery advantages to youngest patients

Robotic surgery procedures by practice are first refined in adults, then applied to pediatrics, as children and infants have smaller, more challenging anatomy to navigate. As an early adopter of robotic surgery across many adult and pediatric specialties, Hackensack University Medical Center has a vast team of experienced surgeons to draw upon—the center recently completed its 25,000th robotic procedure.

This experience running procedures many times ensures smooth workflow and benefits patients, Hackensack Meridian Health Co-Director of Pediatric Urology Richard Schlussel, M.D., said. Many robotic urological procedures are now as safe and effective as open surgery for all ages, even infants, he added.

Some of the most common pediatric urological procedures the Pediatric Urology team performs robotically include kidney obstruction and blocked ureters, ureteral abnormalities and MACE procedures.

With its breadth of experience, Hackensack University Medical Center (and thereby, its children’s campus, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital) is regularly tapped to participate in trials of the latest robotic surgery technology and techniques. With the advantages of robotic surgery and the center’s access to cutting-edge innovations, the Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Pediatric Urology team has embraced robotic surgery for more urological procedures in recent years, experiencing improvements in patient recovery and less scarring.

With kidney stone prevalence increasing in children and teens in recent years, the team, for example, now applies new laser technology to break up stones in a more complete fashion.

The pediatric urology team also recently integrated an innovation that supports robotic surgery planning: 3D modeling of a patient’s individual urological anatomy, which helps a surgeon see all angles and aids family education.

New generation technology coming online for adult patients at the center gives surgeons increasingly beneficial advantages, including improved instrumentation and better tactile sense and surgeon feedback. Dr. Schlussel anticipates adoption of these advances for pediatric robotic surgery in the near future.

Learn more about our pediatric urology innovations.