The Swiss Army knife equivalent of urology equipment got its first run at Calvary St Vincent’s Hospital on Thursday.
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The Lumenis Pulse 100H Holmium Laser platform is used to treat a range of urological diseases including renal stones, bladder tumours and urethral structures.
The technology is expected to significantly improve the recovery time for patients as well as reduce the risk of infections.
At a cost of $200,000, St Vincent’s chief executive Grant Musgrave said the technology was an investment in the hospital’s future.
“This technology will significantly improve the outcomes of our patients,” he said.
“As a hospital, we always try to work with our surgeons to understand the types of equipment they require.
“This laser has many applications and can be used for a range of surgeries, so it is a beneficial investment.”
On Thursday the Lumenis Pulse was used for the first at St Vincent’s to treat a prostate blockage.
In a surgery expected to take about an hour-and-a-half, urologist Stephen Brough said obtaining the laser was a big win for the hospital.
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“It is nice when a plan comes together and today’s surgery has been a while in the making,” he said.
“This laser is really like a Swiss Army knife when it comes to the amount of applications.
“We are able to convert a two to three night surgery into an overnight one.
“So while it is an investment of a little more theatre time, my patients will have now have shorter hospital stays and bleed less as the result of their surgery.”
Four urologists based at St Vincent’s will be able to use the laser to perform a range of surgeries.
Mr Brough said laser technology had come along way in the past decade – first introduced to Launceston in 2007.
“It was a good day when that happened and this is another good day for us,” he said.
“This type of technology makes such a big difference.
“We are talking about reducing two to three potential surgeries down to just one.
“It makes a very big difference from everyone’s point of view.
“It took some of my colleagues a little while to get their heads around it, but now they all tell me its bloody fantastic.
“If our patients are recovering quicker, it means we are doing our jobs right.”
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
