Ohio State surgeons use robotic technology to give patients with pancreatic cancer ‘the gift of time’

Nearly 10 years ago, few surgeons had attempted robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy, a surgery for patients with pancreatic cancer, the third-deadliest form of cancer in the United States.

Now, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has emerged as a national leader in performing the procedure. At the forefront of this effort is Mary Dillhoff, MD, a clinical professor of Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a surgical oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

During surgery, Dr. Dillhoff controls four arms of a da Vinci robot. One arm has a tiny 3D camera to provide detailed views, while the other three have surgical instruments allowing her to cut, sew and move organs with precision.

Using this procedure helps reduce the risk of infection by making a few small incisions rather than one large incision. Patients generally experience reduced blood loss and faster recovery times.

“Our goal is to give every patient the gift of time. They get to attend the weddings of their children and meet their grandchildren. They live longer and better. That’s what keeps us moving forward,” Dr. Dillhoff says.

Learn more about the advanced robotic surgery giving pancreatic cancer patients 'the gift of time'