 For Immediate Release
Mercy Names Link as Director of Robotic Surgery
Oklahoma City—Mercy Health Center has named Brian
Link, M.D., as medical director of Mercy’s robotic surgery program. As
the most experienced urology robotic surgeon in the state, Dr. Link will
lead Mercy’s robotic team with a $1.6 million high-tech da Vinci
robot—making surgery for many less invasive.
Dr. Link completed a fellowship in urologic oncology
and robotic surgery at City of Hope National Medical Center in
California—a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer
center that was named one of America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News &
World Report. Prior to his fellowship, he completed medical school and a
urology residency at the University of Oklahoma.
 At California’s City of Hope, Dr. Link performed
more than 300 robotic surgeries—a technology that has only been widely
available for three years. For patients with prostate, kidney and
bladder cancer, as well as patients who must undergo a hysterectomy or
fibroid removal, Mercy’s robot means a less invasive surgery that
translates into less pain, fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay,
less blood loss, little scarring and a quicker return to a normal
routine.
“With robotic surgery, we can give our patients an
improved functional and oncologic outcome over traditional open
surgery,” said Dr. Link. “My patients usually go home the next day,
versus three to five days in the hospital. They also bounce back a lot
faster and have six dime-sized incisions instead of a 10-inch scar
across their abdomen. With robotics, we can give patients the very best
care.”
Robotic surgery involves a three-armed
computer-driven machine that trained physicians control and manipulate
with the greatest precision. With 3D vision, physicians can see a stereo
view inside the body, magnified 10 times larger than normal.
“Dr. Link is the first and only robotic fellowship
trained urologist in the state,” said Jeff Johnston, Mercy’s chief
operating officer. “He was trained at the top robotic program in the
world. He is bringing proven expertise to Mercy’s new robotics program,
maximizing positive outcomes for our patients.”
Mercy and Oklahoma Heart Hospital partnered for the
purchase of the da Vinci robot. The robot is also being used for mitral
valve repairs, revascularization and bypass surgery. In the future,
Mercy’s da Vinci will also perform colon resections, gastric bypass and
hernia repairs.
Besides leading Mercy’s robotic team, Dr. Link, a
urologist, will begin seeing patients this month at Mercy. For more
information, call (405) 752-1414.
Press release dated: August 11, 2008
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