Robotic surgery improving breast cancer treatment while reducing impact on patients’ bodies

A less invasive — but more precise — robotic surgery is benefitting breast cancer patients at Ohio State.

OSUCCC – James doctor Ko Un (Clara) Park, MD, is leading a clinical trial of the new nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure, which, though early in the process, is already showing great promise.

The procedure comes after years of advances used in mastectomies and other types of reconstructive surgeries, including the introduction of techniques that spare patients’ nipples. This latest step forward utilizes small instruments and cameras are inserted through an incision to the side of the breast, rather than underneath as in the more traditional nipple-sparing surgery.

"I can see what the camera projects and my hands directly control the robotic arms,” Park says

Park provides all of the details about the new surgical technique on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above or on SoundCloud.

Using the tech, Park and other surgeons are able to remove the entire breast tissue in one piece, sparing the skin, nipple and areola. Because the incision is so small, there were initially some questions about the possibility of removing the entire breast as a single piece, but the trial is easing some of those concerns, according to Park.

“We have found that we are able to remove the entire breast tissue through the incision, and then mark and orient it for the pathologist to analyze all the different sections,” she says.

Park is optimistic that the current trial will lead to wider adoption of the surgery.

“The results could introduce a new technique into women’s health and breast cancer surgery, and reach the stage where we are teaching other surgeons how to do this operation.”