SCGH given new computer guided system for brain surgery

5/10/98

Neurosurgeons at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital are undertaking intricate brain surgery with increased precision and accuracy because of a new computer guided system - the first of its kind in Australia.

"As well as assisting in more accurate surgery, use of the StealthStation Treatment Guidance Platform enables patients to recover more quickly and spend less time in hospital," Health Minister John Day said today.

Mr Day was officially presenting Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with the StealthStation Treatment Guidance Platform and a sophisticated microscope. The State Government provided $503,000 for SGCH to purchase the equipment.

The Minister said the StealthStation was not only used in pre-operative planning but during surgery as well.

"By using the StealthStation, surgeons can follow their progress on a monitor screen which is similar to other laparoscopic or keyhole surgery procedures," he said.

"A computer matches the surgeon's progress to the preoperative plan.

"During surgery, the knowledge gained from the preoperative plan may allow the surgeon to reduce the size of the wound which results in a faster recovery for the patient."

Mr Day said the microscope assisted surgeons to more accurately dissect the tumour from the brain.

He said this was important because surgeons had to ensure they did not remove too much brain tissue with a tumour. This could result in the patient suffering serious brain damage following surgery.

However, if insufficient tissue was removed, some of the tumour might be left behind and result in the patient requiring a second operation.

The Minister said the StealthStation had been used at SCGH since September, primarily for the removal of brain tumours.

"Since it was introduced 15 patients have been successfully treated with the aid of the StealthStation," he said.

"Patients are in hospital three to four days following surgery.

"In Western Australia about 800 patients undergo surgical treatment for brain tumours in the public hospital sector each year.

"At Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital about 1,100 patients are treated by the Neurosurgery Department annually. Not all of the cases are for tumours - some result from accidents or haemorrhages."

As part of the hospital's 40th anniversary, the public will have the opportunity to see the equipment demonstrated at 2 pm on November 5. For further information contact the hospital on 9346 3863.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600