Mom gets groundbreaking mastectomy from a $2M robot named Carol
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Vicky Pan, a California mother diagnosed with aggressive triple negative breast cancer, underwent the first robotic single-port mastectomy outside clinical trials in the US at Sutter Health’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.
- The $2 million Da Vinci SP Surgical System enables a minimally invasive procedure with a tiny incision, preserving the nipple and skin, which reduces recovery time and maintains breast appearance.
- The robot provides surgeons with enhanced 3D vision and precision, allowing for accurate removal of cancerous tissue while sparing healthy skin, with the surgeon maintaining full control throughout the operation.
- Named "Carol" after the wife of a donor, the robot requires rigorous training for surgeons and staff and is approved by the FDA for various surgeries beyond mastectomies.
- Pan reports a smooth recovery with minimal pain, is currently in remission, and emphasizes the emotional and physical benefits of nipple-sparing surgery in preserving identity and dignity during cancer treatment.
