Shimane University Hospital

 The University Hospital was established in 1979, and��remodeled in 2011[Fig.1]. The basic principle of our hospital��is “Harmonization of rural medicine and highly advanced��medicine.”

 Pediatric Cardiac Surgery began October, 2013

��In October, 2013, we started pediatric cardiac surgery to save children with congenital heart disease(CHD) in Shimane Prefecture. Pediatric cardiac surgery requires highly specialized knowledge, technique and experience to repair physiological and anatomical problems.
 For a long time, patients with CHD in our prefecture had no chance to have pediatric cardiac surgery in the San-in region, meaning they had to go outside Shimane Prefecture for treatment. It seemed to be exceedingly difficult in both economic and mental issues to have cardiac surgeries in another prefecture far away from one’s hometown and family.
 In April, 2013, Dr. Yoshifumi Fujimoto, a board certified cardiovascular surgeon became director of pediatric cardiac surgery and started to work at our hospital (Fig.2). He began to build up the new “Pediatric Heart Team”which included about 20 medical staff members. Pediatric cardiac surgery is done on every Wednesday (Fig.3) and we have already finished about 20 operations in the past 4 months.
 He says, “We are trying to make a strong base of pediatric medicine and surgery to save children’s carefree smiles in the San-in region. Call me anytime if you are interested in pediatric cardiac surgery. ”

Information

Location / Enyacho Izumo Shimane
URL:http://www.med.shimane-u.ac.jp/hospital/index.html

Message from director, Mikio IGAWA

 The Shimane University Hospital provides high-quality, patientcentered care. This leads to the best outcomes and patient satisfaction. In addition to traditional health care programs, we offer a primary care track beneficial to a future primary care physician. I look forward to having you join our community here at the Shimane University Hospital.

 The da Vinci Surgical System

 The da Vinci Surgical System is a tool that utilizes advanced, robotic technologies to assist surgeons during operations (Fig.4). The da Vinci Surgical System is equipped with a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system (Fig.5), special instruments and computer software that allow surgeons to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control.The da Vinci instruments have mechanical wrists that can bend and rotate while mimicking the natural movements of the human wrist (Fig.6). This allows surgeons to make small, precise movements inside a patient’s body.
 We have a radical prostatectomy operation every week using the “da Vinci”, and, so far, patient’s postoperative courses have gone well. We also use the “da Vinci” for radical cystectomy and partial nephrectomy.
 Our future plan is to apply the “da Vinci” to gynecology and digestive system surgeries.

Patient benefits from the “da Vinci” include:
• Shorter hospital stays
• Reduced blood loss
• Faster recovery times
• Smaller incisions which result in minimal scarring

Medical students and surgeons improve their skills with the simulator for the “da Vinci” at our clinical skill center (Fig.7).