Fast Forward Awards

Kidney Donor Nephrectomy Technique
Dicken Ko, MD, and David Rattner, MD, MGH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to bring minimally invasive laparoscopic technique for donor nephrectomy to MGH and BWH. Dr. Ko went to Hopkins to learn the procedure from Dr. Lloyd Ratner. This Fast Forward has been moved into clinical practice with good success. The program is now well established.

Today 80% (175 donors) of all MGH kidney donor nephrectomies use this technique, and donors are home in two days after survey.

Laparoscopic Approaches to Weight Loss Surgery
Janey Pratt, MD, MGH
The goal of this Fast Forward was to investigate different ways of performing laparoscopic bariatric surgery, and bring this procedure to MGH. This procedure has gained acceptance within the larger surgical community, and new technology has been developed which will make it easier to perform. Dr. Pratt observed techniques at three institutions: NEMC, UMass and UPMC.  Phillips Schauer in Pittsburg taught Dr. Pratt the technique that she ultimately adopted.  To date, Dr. Pratt has taught this procedure to eight physicians. 

The procedure was first performed at MGH in January 2001 and 675 patients have been treated to date with this laparoscopic procedure with more than a 1,000 patients on a waiting list. Outcomes find weight loss, quality of life, and OR time equal to open procedure, indications of wound infection and hernia has been less than open procedure.

Endoscopic Computer-Enhanced Cardiac Surgery using the da Vinci™ Robotic Surgical System
Lishan Aklog, MD, BWH

The goal of this Fast Forward is to introduce the robotic da VinciTM Surgical System into clinical use at the Brigham and Women's Hospital to determine the ability of this system to perform endoscopic left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to assess the relative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this procedure when compared to conventional CABG, off-pump CABG and catheter-based intervention.

Application of a Robotics Interface in Surgery
David Torchiana, MD, MGH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to implement the Computer Motion robotics system to perform closed chest coronary anastomoses. Further application of this system included sutured anastomoses in the abdominal aorta.

SpineCATH Treatment for Discogenic Low Back Pain
Milan Stojanovic MD, MGH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to evaluate the performance of Intradiscal Electrothermal therapy in the treatment of discogenic axial low back pain. Patients treated in this manner can be discharged home thirty minutes after the procedure.

Minimally Invasive Options for the Treatment of Larger Uterine Fibroids
Keith Isaacson, MD, MGH

The goal of this Fast Forward is to introduce novel minimally invasive techniques for removing large (> 6 cm) uterine fibroids, and to assess and compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of this therapy. Dr. Isaacson visited three institutions to study these procedures: Kaiser Permanente, San Ramon CA with Dr. Mark Glasser; Milwaukee, WI with Dr. Charles Koh; and Chicago IL with Dr. Chuck Miller. 

This procedure was first performed at MGH in 2000 and at NWH in 2001. One hundred patients have been treated to date. The benefit of this minimally invasive procedure are one day hospital stay vs. four days for open procedures and a one week return to normal activities vs. six weeks recovery with open procedures. To date, Dr. Isaacson has taught two physicians at MGH and now four at NWH to do these procedures.

Endoscopic Laser Surgery for Severe Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
David Acker, MD, BWH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to support training for fetal endoscopic laser surgery for the management and treatment of severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome by laser surgery.

In 2004, Dr. Acker established a relationship with a leading US medical center and visited for classes and hands-on experience. BWH has decided that this procedure is still in its experimental stage and not to introduce the procedure at BWH.

Thoracoscopic and Laparoscopic Esophagectomy
Henning A. Gaissert, MD, MGH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to support the introduction of minimally invasive eosophgectomy at MGH and Partners.

Electromagnetically Guided Endoscopic Navigation
Armin Ernst, MD, BIDMC

The goal of this Fast Forward award was to learn the use of equipment for thoracic electromagnetic guidance. Dr. Ernst visited the “Thoraxclinic Heidelberg”, a world renowned specialized pulmonary medical center in Heidelberg, Germany, and one of only two places worldwide using this technology. As a consequence of the high annual volume of bronchoscopic procedures performed there (>5000/ year), endoscopic skills in EM guidance can be learned quickly by an experienced endoscopists and then introduced into the medical community at home. 

Dr. Ernst has performed over 20 procedures with the use of electromagnetic guidance.  He is now comfortable with the new technology, and has recommended a unit be installed at BIDMC to further additional work in this area.

Implementation of a Phrenic Nerve Pacemaker Program
Christopher Ducko, MD, BWH

The goal of this Fast Forward was to provide patients, who have spinal cord injury or central hypoventilation syndrome that requires chronic mechanical ventilation, with a chance for freedom from the ventilator following successful diaphragmatic pacer system implantation.  The benefits of pacing include physiologic respiratory function superior to mechanical ventilation, reduced infection rate, normal breathing and speech, easier eating and drinking, improved mobility and a significant cost savings when compared to the cost of a ventilator and its disposables.