From ITP Diagnosis to Robotic-Assisted Splenectomy: Kathleen’s Journey to Recovery
Kathleen Schipper, a retired flight nurse, has seen a lot throughout her medical career. Her focus on caring for others often resulted in her own health taking a back seat. That had to change after Kathleen was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a blood disorder where the immune system treats platelets in the blood as foreign and destroys them. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are vital for maintaining the delicate balance between clotting and bleeding in our bloodstream. They ensure that when injuries occur, our body can respond appropriately to minimize blood loss and promote healing.
“My platelets were so low the doctors couldn’t figure out how I was walking around,” says Kathleen.
Her initial treatments didn’t seem to be working, and after two rounds of chemotherapy with no improvement in her condition, Kathleen’s doctors suggested removing her spleen might be the best course of action. Since the spleen is responsible for removing damaged platelets, removing the spleen could help keep more platelets circulating in her body.
A splenectomy for an ITP patient, however, can be a risky procedure due to a higher risk of bleeding, and not every surgeon or facility would be an appropriate fit. After consulting with two other surgeons, Kathleen was referred to Dr. Michael Antiporda with Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, TN.
“When I met with Kathleen and discussed her case with her hematologist, I felt confident that we could help her and that she would be a good candidate for a robotic approach,” explains Dr. Antiporda “The robotic approach would allow us to reduce the amount of time the surgery would take, the time for her to return to her normal life, as well as reduce other associated risks of the surgery.”
About Robotic-assisted Splenectomy
Robotic-assisted splenectomy is a surgical procedure that uses robotic technology to assist the surgeon with removing the spleen. While traditional open surgery and laparoscopic techniques are also used for splenectomy, robotic-assisted surgery offers several potential benefits for both our patients and surgeons:
- Minimally Invasive: Robotic-assisted surgery is minimally invasive, meaning it uses smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery. Smaller incisions often lead to less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery.
- Enhanced Precision: The robotic system provides surgeons with enhanced precision and control. The robotic arms have a wider range of motion and can perform intricate movements with great precision, allowing for more delicate and complex surgeries.
- Improved Visualization: Robotic surgery offers 3D high-definition visualization, providing surgeons with a clearer and more detailed view of the surgical site. This improved visualization can be particularly valuable when working in tight spaces, such as around the spleen.
- Reduced Blood Loss: The precision of the robotic instruments can lead to reduced blood loss during surgery. This is especially important in splenectomy, as minimizing blood loss is a critical aspect of the procedure.
- Shorter Hospital Stay: Patients who undergo robotic-assisted splenectomy often have a shorter hospital stay compared to open surgery. They may also experience a faster overall recovery and return to normal activities.
- Less Scarring: Smaller incisions result in smaller scars, which are generally less noticeable and may be more cosmetically appealing than the larger incisions required for open surgery.
- Reduced Risk of Infection: With smaller incisions, there is typically a reduced risk of surgical site infections.
- Less Pain and Discomfort: Minimally invasive surgery, including robotic-assisted splenectomy, is generally associated with less postoperative pain and discomfort compared to open surgery.
“When I went to see Dr. Antiporda, I was very impressed with the thoroughness of the office,” Kathleen explains. “He was very informative. We talked about it. He told me point by point what he was going to do, and they were able to get me scheduled sooner than expected.”
On the day of the surgery, Kathleen was scheduled at 5 a.m. for what could have been a three-hour procedure. There were no complications and the surgery lasted about an hour.
“She did great,” says Dr. Antiporda. “There was minimal blood loss. We were able to do the surgery with only four incisions, none of which were bigger than about a centimeter. She was able to go home the day after surgery, and her platelet function started to recover very quickly.”
“I didn’t need one pain pill. I didn’t have one issue with that surgery,” Kathleen smiles. “I felt at ease with Dr. Antiporda. He and his whole staff, his nurse, even the people at the front desk were phenomenal and very, very caring… very accommodating. They answered every question I had. I got more information out of that office about what was going to happen, what to expect… I didn’t have one bit of problem at all. And if I called, I got a call back. Dr. Antiporda has called and checked on me. After the 5 a.m. surgery, he came in at 11 p.m. at night to make sure I was doing okay. I don’t have one negative thing to say about the office or him, and he has a kick butt bedside manner. You don’t see that in many doctors anymore.”
Here at Premier Surgical in Knoxville, we’re grateful for our skilled surgeons and for success stories like Kathleen’s. If you have questions about the advantages of robotic assisted surgery, we can help. Contact us to request an appointment today.