Video transcription:

(Robot beeping)

Narrator: This robotic surgical tool…

Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu, Urologist: “There are only seven robots in the world to date.” 

Narrator: …is the newest generation of minimally invasive technology, and UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu is among the first to use it.

(Robot beeping)

The Dallas Urologist specializes in minimally invasive treatments designed to lower risks for the patient and surgeon while improving outcomes.    

Cadeddu: “The entire field of surgery and robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery has been waiting for technology like this to be developed.”

Narrator: The technology allows for all of the necessary surgical tools to be inserted through one small hole rather than the standard five or six.

Cadeddu: “It enables us to avoid all of the multiple holes and risk of complications from those holes.”

Narrator: Providing greater precision, flexibility, and control, with shortened recovery time and less pain. Dr. Cadeddu has performed more than a dozen single port robotic surgeries since introducing the technology in late November.

Cadeddu: “I’m also fortunate to be at an institution where the leadership recognizes the capability of the staff, the desires of the staff, the motivation of the staff, someone like me that wants to push the envelope and do this. There’s always been support.”

Narrator: It's that type of leading-edge mentality that caught 57-year-old Rafael Roa’s attention.

Rafael Roa, Prostate Cancer Patient: “It’s world-renowned ... it’s the best there is.”

Narrator: Rafael was given the grim diagnosis of prostate cancer in September, news that this executive at IBM was not expecting to hear.

Roa: “I came in for a blood test and received some stomach virus in Paris. I came home and told my wife I didn’t feel well. I went to the doctor, they do a full blood test, they say ‘Hey. Something is wrong. Your PSA level is abnormal.”

Narrator: After meeting with Dr. Cadeddu, he found out that he was a candidate for the Single Port Robotic Surgery, becoming one of the first to undergo this procedure not only at UT Southwestern, but in the world. 

Roa: “You want to stay leading edge. You want to bring the best quicker recovery times, better recovery. Everything that goes with that I think is phenomenal.”

Narrator: Going into surgery, Rafael knew he was in good hands.

Roa: “He literally made me feel like he was one of us. And at the end he said those exact words – don’t worry, you’re part of the family. I will take care of you.”

Cadeddu: “We’re all patients and the last thing we want to do is go through surgery and the pain of surgery, so if we can make it easier for the patient. I’m always looking for a way to improve the patient’s experience.”