Since performing the first pediatric robotic urology surgery in Central Florida more than a decade ago, specialists at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children have used sophisticated robotic technology for more than 1,000 surgical repairs to the genitourinary system of the region’s youngest patients.
“It’s our experience that sets us apart,” says Benjamin K. Rhee, MD, a board-certified pediatric urologist with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer. “Others might have the same technical equipment, but the difference is our vast experience, large case volume, and that we continue to expand the procedures we can do. This experience allows our team to successfully operate on patients as young as eight to nine months old."
The pediatric urology team at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer utilizes less-invasive robotic surgery for both congenital and acquired pediatric urologic conditions involving the bladder, kidney, ureter and genitourinary system.
“Open surgery is not our first choice,” says Dr. Rhee, who specializes in robotic pediatric urology surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. “We do everything robotically unless there's an absolute reason we can’t.”
Minimally invasive robotic procedures this team performs include:
- Pyeloplasty for hydronephrosis or ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Pyelolithotomy for kidney stone removal
- Ureteroureterostomy to correct ectopic ureter
- Ureteral reimplantation to repair vesicoureteral reflux affecting one or both sides
“We see complex situations daily and are constantly looking for ways to improve our techniques so we can provide the best outcomes possible for our patients,” says Dr. Rhee. “Always striving to do better than yesterday drives our team. And we like to share our experiences with our peers who are interested or want help setting up their own programs.”
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer is the only children’s hospital in Florida with a pediatric urology program ranked among the nation’s Top 50. All pediatric urologists on the team are board certified in urology with additional subspecialty fellowships and certification in pediatric urology.
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