After seven previous abdominal surgeries, 64-year-old Joy Monetti from Islip found her recent single-port (SP) robotic surgery at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island to be transformative. Dr. Anthony Corcoran successfully used SP technology to remove a noncancerous mass from her left kidney. The minimally invasive procedure resulted in Monetti feeling better and mobile almost immediately.
“I’ve had seven abdominal surgeries in the past, many of which were painful and required long recovery times,” Monetti stated. “This procedure was a real eye-opener—nothing like the prior ones. When I got home after being kept overnight, it was hard for me to rest because I felt so good. You can’t even see the scar.” Three weeks later, Monetti was back to caring for her grandchildren, underscoring the reduced recovery time made possible by SP technology.
NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island is at the forefront of SP robotic surgery. This innovative technique enables surgeons to perform complex procedures through a single incision, minimising trauma to surrounding areas and allowing patients to heal faster. Robotic surgery offers a less-invasive alternative to traditional methods, benefiting patients with reduced pain, quicker recovery, and less scarring.
Dr. Tara Martinez and Dr. Corcoran are among the key innovators using this technique. Dr. Martinez, one of only two surgeons in New York certified for colorectal SP procedures, employs this technology for various conditions, including cancer-related colon resections, polyps, rectal prolapse, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
“Single-port robotic procedures are transforming how we treat cancers, especially here on Long Island,” said Dr. Martinez. “The precision that we’re able to have while minimising the trauma to the area is a game changer for patients, with many able to return to normal activity much sooner than expected.”
Dr. Corcoran, director of urologic oncology at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island and member of Perlmutter Cancer Center, is the sole surgeon on Long Island performing SP extraperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy. This minimally invasive surgery uses robotic assistance to remove part of the kidney while preserving healthy tissue, and he also conducts radical prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer.
With the innovation offered by single-port technology, patients like Joy can recover in days compared to weeks with traditional surgical methods, as noted by Dr. Corcoran.
