Vattikuti Urology Institute
Encyclopedia
The Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI) at the Henry Ford Hospital
in Detroit, Michigan
is a clinical and research center for urological care. The VUI is notable for being the first institute to establish robotic surgery
as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer
. To date, the VUI has performed more than 5,000 robotic procedures. The institute currently has 110 regular staff members, 19 full-time senior staff members, 14 clinical staff members and 5 full-time Ph.D scientists. Ranked consistently high by U.S. News and World Report
, VUI is also one of the largest and most active urology departments in the United States, with nearly 50,000 patients annually from all 50 states and nearly 25 countries.
, Raj Vattikuti announced a research initiative to help patients with prostate cancer. The University of Michigan, William Beaumont Hospital
and Henry Ford Hospital competed for the funds. Menon’s proposal, submitted by Henry Ford Hospital, was to establish an institute to develop techniques of minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer. This proposal was accepted by the Vattikuti Foundation and the Vattikuti Urology Institute was initialized in 2001.
.
Robotic Surgeons at the VUI are equipped with two 60" by 80" 3-D
projection screens in their operating rooms. The entire surgical team wears 3-D glasses inside the OR, and thus get the same three dimensional experience which increases surgical precision; the surgeon can easily find and preserve delicate nerves and muscle that surround tissues. Minimally invasive robotic surgery at the VUI is done using a computer enhanced system called the da Vinci Surgical System
.
VUI's surgeons have developed and practice a variety of minimally invasive procedures utilizing robots.
These surgeries include:
Emil Kheterpal, M.D.
Naveen Pokala, M.D.
Ali A. Dabaja, M.D.
Naveed Naeem, M.D.
Michael Ehlert, M.D.
Ariella Friedman, M.D.
Fred Muhletaler, M.D.
Frank J. Penna, M.D.
Pranav Sharma, M.D.
Abd-El-Rahman M. Abd-El-Barr, M.D.
Kirsten Janosek-Albright, M.D.
Steven Rivera, M.D.
Jesse Sammon, D.O.
Jessica Meyers, M.D.
.
The Vattikuti Foundation is notable for making the largest philanthropic contribution for cancer research
in Michigan. The foundation donated $40 million to the Henry Ford Hospital and the William Beaumont Hospital in 2001. The donation to Henry Ford Hospital was used to support the treatment and the study of prostate cancer, research, and treatment advances.
entered a joint collaboration in March, 2008. The goal of this collaboration was to expand resident education, patient care and academic exchange between the institutions in the field of urology. Combined initiatives include female urology, oncology
, minimally invasive surgery, basic research, and outcome analysis.
(IRUS) is a robotic conference which was initiated by the VUI in 2004. The last IRUS was held at the Wynn
in Las Vegas, NV in January 2010.
The IRUS has a strong reputation of containing world renowned faculty to conduct lectures, individual sessions and Q&A forums. This event generally encompasses patients, physicians and residents from around the world in fields of urology and oncology.
Henry Ford Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital, the flagship facility for , is an 805-bed tertiary care hospital, education and research complex located in Detroit ....
in Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
is a clinical and research center for urological care. The VUI is notable for being the first institute to establish robotic surgery
Robotic surgery
Robotic surgery, computer-assisted surgery, and robotically-assisted surgery are terms for technological developments that use robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures....
as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. To date, the VUI has performed more than 5,000 robotic procedures. The institute currently has 110 regular staff members, 19 full-time senior staff members, 14 clinical staff members and 5 full-time Ph.D scientists. Ranked consistently high by U.S. News and World Report
World Report
World Report is CBC Radio's morning news program, airing weekdays at 5, 6, 7, and 8 AM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 6, 7, 8, and 9 AM. It lasts 10 minutes...
, VUI is also one of the largest and most active urology departments in the United States, with nearly 50,000 patients annually from all 50 states and nearly 25 countries.
History
The Henry Ford Hospital recruited Dr. Mani Menon, a urologist, to revive the prostate cancer program in 1997. In 1999, a Michigan philanthropistPhilanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, Raj Vattikuti announced a research initiative to help patients with prostate cancer. The University of Michigan, William Beaumont Hospital
William Beaumont Hospital
Beaumont Hospital is a regional medical system in the greater Detroit, Michigan area. It first opened with a 238 bed hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1955...
and Henry Ford Hospital competed for the funds. Menon’s proposal, submitted by Henry Ford Hospital, was to establish an institute to develop techniques of minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer. This proposal was accepted by the Vattikuti Foundation and the Vattikuti Urology Institute was initialized in 2001.
Clinical Care and The VUI
The Vattikuti Urology Institute offers treatment for the spectrum of urological diseases including:- Prostate cancer
- Stone Disease
- IncontinenceUrinary incontinenceUrinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life. Urinary incontinence almost always results from an underlying treatable medical condition but is under-reported to medical practitioners...
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Male InfertilityMale infertilityMale infertility refers to the inability of a male to achieve a pregnancy in a fertile female. In humans it accounts for 40-50% of infertility. Male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is used as a surrogate measure of male fecundity.-Pre-testicular...
- Pediatric Urology
- Urologic Cancers
- Sexual DysfunctionSexual dysfunctionSexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction refers to a difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal sexual activity, including desire, arousal or orgasm....
The VUI & Robotic Surgery
The Vattikuti Urology Institute is considered a pioneering institute in what has been called a “medical revolution”: the use of robotics for the surgical removal of the prostate and other urological procedures. There is lesser trauma and pain, shorter hospital stays, and minor scarring for the patient undergoing minimally invasive robotic surgeryRobotic surgery
Robotic surgery, computer-assisted surgery, and robotically-assisted surgery are terms for technological developments that use robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures....
.
Robotic Surgeons at the VUI are equipped with two 60" by 80" 3-D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
projection screens in their operating rooms. The entire surgical team wears 3-D glasses inside the OR, and thus get the same three dimensional experience which increases surgical precision; the surgeon can easily find and preserve delicate nerves and muscle that surround tissues. Minimally invasive robotic surgery at the VUI is done using a computer enhanced system called the da Vinci Surgical System
Da Vinci Surgical System
The Da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system made by Intuitive Surgical and designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach...
.
VUI's surgeons have developed and practice a variety of minimally invasive procedures utilizing robots.
These surgeries include:
- "Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy": Minimally invasive robotic prostatectomy developed by the institute’s surgeons. An estimated 30,000 VIPs, with minor variations, were performed worldwide in 2007.
- Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove a kidney tumorTumorA tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
while preserving the remaining kidney (also called renal-sparing surgery). - Robotic Radical Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the entire kidney for large tumors or disease.
- Robotic PyeloplastyPyeloplastyPyeloplasty is the surgical reconstruction or revision of the renal pelvis to drain and decompress the kidney. Most commonly it is performed to treat an uretero-pelvic junction obstruction if residual renal function is adequate....
: Repair of the blockage in the area where the ureterUreterIn human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
attaches to the kidney. - Robotic Nephroureterectomy: Removal of the kidney and ureter for transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.
- Robotic Pyelolithotomy: Removal of large kidney stones that fail treatment by other methods
- Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication: Removal of kidney cysts that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure.
The "Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy"
The Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP) is a robotic procedure developed by the VUI. This is the institute's preferred procedure for the removal of the prostate. Dr. Mani Menon had developed the VIP procedure and under his guidance, urologists at the VUI were the first in the world to perform using the da Vinci robot. In 2001, only about a 100 VIP procedure surgeries were being done worldwide. In 2007, more than 30,000 patients had the VIP procedure performed on them. Patients undergoing the VIP procedure have the following advantages:- Less Pain
- Faster Recovery
- Shorter Hospital Stays (usually 24 hours)
- Less internal and external scarring
- Minimum Complications
- Improved Sexual Function
- Earlier return of urinary control
Urology Robotic Surgery Team
- Dr. Mani Menon, M.D. - Chairman and Director of the Vattikuti Urology Institute
- Dr. Craig G. Rogers, M.D. - Director of Renal Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, Director of Urologic Oncology at West Bloomfield Hospital
- Dr. Jack S. Elder, M.D. - Chief of pediatric urology
- Dr. James O. Peabody, M.D. - robotic prostate surgery specialist
- Dr. Hans J. Stricker, M.D. - robotic prostate surgery specialist
Clinical and Basic Science Research
The Vattikuti Urology Institute is an active research institute . Topics of research include:- Robotic Prostate Surgery
- Robotic Renal Surgery
- Robotic Stone Surgery
- Robotic Adrenal Surgery
- Pediatric Urology
- Androgen Receptors
- Identification of Prostate Cancer Markers
- Prostate Cancer Cell Apoptosis
- Patient Database Analysis
Residency Program
Residents train in virtually every field of urology in one of the busiest and technologically advanced urology clinics in the world. The program accepts two applicants a year. The residency program at the VUI is a 6 year program. Distinguished alumni throughout the world include:- Dr. Daniel Eun
- Dr. Ronald Borris
- Dr. Ketan Badani
- Dr. Michael Fumo
- Dr. Nikhil Shah
- Dr. Richard Sarle
- Dr. Ashutosh Tewari
- Dr. Khurshid Guru
- Dr. Akshay Bhandari
Current Residents
Sanjeev Kaul, M.D.Emil Kheterpal, M.D.
Naveen Pokala, M.D.
Ali A. Dabaja, M.D.
Naveed Naeem, M.D.
Michael Ehlert, M.D.
Ariella Friedman, M.D.
Fred Muhletaler, M.D.
Frank J. Penna, M.D.
Pranav Sharma, M.D.
Abd-El-Rahman M. Abd-El-Barr, M.D.
Kirsten Janosek-Albright, M.D.
Steven Rivera, M.D.
Jesse Sammon, D.O.
Jessica Meyers, M.D.
The Vattikuti Foundation
The Vattikuti Urology Institute is named after Raj Vattikuti and his wife Padma Vattikuti. The Vattikuti Foundation is a philanthropy organization located in Michigan, founded by the Vattikutis. Vattiktui is the founder and CEO of Covansys Corporation in Farmington Hills, MichiganFarmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills is a community in southeastern Michigan. It is the largest city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 79,740 at the 2010 census...
.
The Vattikuti Foundation is notable for making the largest philanthropic contribution for cancer research
Cancer research
Cancer research is basic research into cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cure....
in Michigan. The foundation donated $40 million to the Henry Ford Hospital and the William Beaumont Hospital in 2001. The donation to Henry Ford Hospital was used to support the treatment and the study of prostate cancer, research, and treatment advances.
New York University Collaboration
To further extend its influence, the VUI and the New York University School of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine
The New York University School of Medicine is one of the graduate schools of New York University. Founded in 1841 as the University Medical College, the NYU School of Medicine is one of the foremost medical schools in the United States....
entered a joint collaboration in March, 2008. The goal of this collaboration was to expand resident education, patient care and academic exchange between the institutions in the field of urology. Combined initiatives include female urology, oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
, minimally invasive surgery, basic research, and outcome analysis.
IRUS
The International Robotic Urology SymposiumInternational Robotic Urology Symposium
Hosted by the Detroit-based Vattikuti Urology Institute, the International Robotic Urology Symposium is a semi-annual conference featuring the latest in robotic urological surgery presented through intensive courses and leading robotic surgeons. The symposium attracts surgeons, nurses, operating...
(IRUS) is a robotic conference which was initiated by the VUI in 2004. The last IRUS was held at the Wynn
Wynn
Wynn is a letter of the Old English alphabet, where it is used to represent the sound ....
in Las Vegas, NV in January 2010.
The IRUS has a strong reputation of containing world renowned faculty to conduct lectures, individual sessions and Q&A forums. This event generally encompasses patients, physicians and residents from around the world in fields of urology and oncology.