Vattikuti Urology Institute

Infobox Institute
name= The Vattikuti Urology Institute


caption= VUI Logo
established=April, 2001
chairman= Dr. Mani Menon
location= Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan USA
head_label = Chief of Urology
head = Dr. Jack Elder
staff= 150 (2007)
website= [http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=41144/ Vattikuti Urology Institute]

The Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI) at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan is a clinical and research center for urological care [http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=41144 Henry Ford Hospital - The Vattikuti Urology Institute] ] . The VUI is notable for being the first institute to establish robotic surgery as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/06/010611072600.htm Science Daily - "Fast Track"] ] [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3403901 MSNBC - Robots Invade The Operating Room] ] . To date, the VUI has performed nearly 4,000 robotic procedures. The institute currently has 110 regular staff members, 19 full-time senior staff members, 14 clinical staff members and 5 full-time Ph.D scientists. Ranked consistently high by U.S. News and World Report, VUI is also one of the largest and most active urology departments in the United States, with nearly 50,000 patients annually from all 50 states and nearly 25 countries.

History

The Henry Ford Hospital recruited Dr. Mani Menon, a urologist, to revive the prostate cancer program in 1997 [http://www.henryfordhealth.org/body.cfm?id=47772 Henry Ford Hospital - Mani Menon, MD] ] . In 1999, a Michigan philanthropist, Raj Vattikuti announced a research initiative to help patients with prostate cancer. The University of Michigan, William Beaumont Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital competed for the funds. Menon’s proposal, submitted by Henry Ford Hospital, was to establish an institute to develop techniques of minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer. This proposal was accepted by the Vattikuti Foundation and the Vattikuti Urology Institute was initialized in 2001 [ [http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/non-profit-businesses/818682-1.html All Businesses - Two Michigan Hospitals Get $40 Million For Cancer Research] ] .

Clinical Care and The VUI

The Vattikuti Urology Institute offers treatment for the spectrum of urological diseases including:
* Prostate cancer
* Stone Disease
* Incontinence
* Urinary Tract Infections
* Male Infertility
* Pediatric Urology
* Urologic Cancers
* Sexual Dysfunction

The VUI & Robotic Surgery

The Vattikuti Urology Institute is considered a pioneering institute in what has been called a “medical revolution” [http://www.wjr.com/Article.asp?id=95799 WJR Radio] ] : the use of robotics for the surgical removal of the prostate and other urological procedures. There is lesser trauma and pain, shorter hospital stays, and minor scarring for the patient undergoing minimally invasive robotic surgery [ [http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/hospitalresources/robotic-assistedsurgery/index.aspx/ Intuitive Surgical - Hospital Resources] ] . Robotic Surgeons at the VUI are equipped with two 60" by 80" 3-D projection screens in their operating rooms [ [http://www.hoise.com/vmw/04/articles/vmw/LV-VM-07-04-18.html/ Hoise - Henry Ford Hospital creates operating room of the future with 3D technology taking robotic surgery to new levels] ] . The entire surgical team wears 3-D glasses inside the OR, and thus get the same three dimensional experience which increases surgical precision; the surgeon can easily find and preserve delicate nerves and muscle that surround tissues. Minimally invasive robotic surgery at the VUI is done using a computer enhanced system called the da Vinci Surgical System. VUI's surgeons have developed and practice a variety of minimally invasive procedures utilizing robots [http://www.curetoday.com/backissues/v6n4/features/feature1/index.html CURE Magazine - Surgeons & Robots] ] .These surgeries include:
* "Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy": Minimally invasive robotic prostatectomy developed by the institute’s surgeons. An estimated 30,000 VIPs, with minor variations, were performed worldwide in 2007.
* Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove a kidney tumor while preserving the remaining kidney (also called renal-sparing surgery).
* Robotic Radical Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the entire kidney for large tumors or disease.
* Robotic Pyeloplasty: Repair of the blockage in the area where the ureter attaches to the kidney.
* Robotic Nephroureterectomy: Removal of the kidney and ureter for transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.
* Robotic Pyelolithotomy: Removal of large kidney stones that fail treatment by other methods
* Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication: Removal of kidney cysts that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure.

The "Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy"

The Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP) is a robotic procedure developed by the VUI. This is the institute's preferred procedure for the removal of the prostate. Dr. Mani Menon had developed the VIP procedure and under his guidance, urologists at the VUI were the first in the world to perform using the da Vinci robot. In 2001, only about a 100 VIP procedure surgeries were being done worldwide. In 2007, more than 30,000 patients had the VIP procedure performed on them. Patients undergoing the VIP procedure have the following advantages:
* Less Pain
* Faster Recovery
* Shorter Hospital Stays (usually 24 hours)
* Less internal and external scarring
* Minimum Complications
* Improved Sexual Function
* Earlier return of urinary control

Clinical and Basic Science Research

The Vattikuti Urology Institute is an active research institute. Topics of research include:
* Robotic Prostate Surgery
* Robotic Renal Surgery
* Robotic Stone Surgery
* Robotic Adrenal Surgery
* Pediatric Urology
* Androgen Receptors
* Identification of Prostate Cancer Markers
* Prostate Cancer Cell Apoptosis
* Patient Database Analysis

Residency Program

Residents train in virtually every field of urology in one of the busiest and technologically advanced urology clinics in the world [http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=44869 - Residency Program] ] . The program accepts two applicants a year. The residency program at the VUI is a 5 year program. Distinguished alumni throughout the world include:

* Dr. Daniel Eun
* Dr. Ronald Borris
* Dr. Ketan Badani [ [http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/urology/badani.html Dr. Ketan Badani] ]
* Dr. Michael Fumo
* Dr. Nikhil Shah
* Dr. Richard Sarle
* Dr. Ashutosh Tewari [ [http://www.cornellphysicians.com/aktewari/ Dr. Ashutosh Tewari] ]
* Dr. Khurshid Guru [ [http://www.roswellpark.org/Patient_Care/Meet_the_Team/Clinicians/Guru_KhurshidA__MD Dr. Khurshid Guru ] ]

The Vattikuti Foundation

The Vattikuti Urology Institute is named after Raj Vattikuti and his wife Padma Vattikuti. The Vattikuti Foundation is a philanthropy organization located in Michigan, founded by the Vattikutis. Vattiktui is the founder and CEO of Covansys Corporation in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The Vattikuti Foundation is notable for making the largest philanthropic contribution for cancer research in Michigan [http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/non-profit-businesses/818682-1.html/ All Businesses - Two Michigan Hospitals Get $40 Million For Cancer Research] ] . The foundation donated $40 million to the Henry Ford Hospital and the William Beaumont Hospital in 2001. The donation to Henry Ford Hospital was used to support the treatment and the study of prostate cancer, research, and treatment advances.

IRUS

The [http://www.roboticsymposium.com/Site/Welcome.html International Robotic Urology Symposium] (IRUS) is a robotic conference which was initiated by the VUI in 2004. The next IRUS is set to be held at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, NV in January 2009 [ [http://www.roboticsymposium.com/Site/Welcome.html IRUS 2009] ] . The IRUS has a strong reputation of containing world renowned faculty to conduct lectures, individual sessions and Q&A forums. This event generally encompasses patients, physicians and residents from around the world in fields of urology and oncology.

New York University Collaboration

To further extend its influence, the VUI and the New York University School of Medicine entered a joint collaboration in March, 2008Henry Ford Hospital weekly newsletter - The Tribute] . The goal of this collaboration was to expand resident education, patient care and academic exchange between the institutions in the field of urology. Combined initiatives include female urology, oncology, minimally invasive surgery, basic research, and outcome analysis.

Chairmen

* 2001 - present: Dr. Mani Menon

See also

* Mani Menon
* Mahendra Bhandari

References

External links

* [http://www.roboticsymposium.com/Site/Welcome.html The International Robotic Urology Symposium]
* [http://www.henryford.com/ Henry Ford Hospital]
* [http://www.drmanimenon.com Dr. Mani Menon]
* [http://www.medicexchange.com/mall/departmentpage.cfm/MedicExchangeUSA/_81694/1286/departments-contentview The Role of Robotics in Urology]
* [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/SUB/70323027 Crain's Detroit - American Dreamer: Dr. Mani Menon]
* [http://www.newsweek.com/id/51510 Newsweek - Cutting Edge]