Vattikuti Foundation

The Vattikuti Urology Institute is named after Raj Vattikuti and his wife Padma Vattikuti .The Vattikuti Foundation is a philanthropy organization located in Michigan, founded by the Vattikutis. The Vattikuti foundation is notable for making the largest philanthropic contribution for cancer research in Michigan. The foundation donated $40 million to the Henry Ford Hospital . The donation to Henry Ford Hospital was used to support the treatment and the study of prostate cancer, research and treatment advances.

Comprehensive Care

Clinical Excellence
Our staff and surgeons are the world's foremost experts on robotic prostatectomy surgery. The robotic prostatectomy was perfected here at Henry Ford, and our staff will work tirelessly to deliver the best clinical care available.


Comfort
Many of our patients are from outside of southeast Michigan. Many of our patients stay at the Ritz-Carlton in nearby Dearborn where they recuperate in comfort, knowing that our doctors and nurses are close by to offer any assistance. Our patients receive Ritz treatment with such benefits as sedan transportation to and from the hospital, prescription retrieval, specialized dining options and even a personal concierge available by beeper 24 hours a day.





The Latest in Technological Advances
At Henry Ford Hospital, patients have access to 3-dimensional technology that takes modern robotic surgery to new levels.Surgical teams are now performing robotic surgery for prostate cancer with enhanced efficiency, comfort and communication using this unique technology. Aided by two 60-inch by 80-inch flat projection screens, advanced lighting, and a data monitoring and intercom system, the entire surgical team works in 3-D wearing special polarized glasses.For precision work, when tissue handling is very important, when a millimeter makes a difference, 3-D provides that benefit. The robot-assisted prostatectomy is performed with the da Vinci™ computer-enhanced, minimally invasive surgery system. Using a tiny camera at the end of a laparoscope, the surgeon can operate miniaturized instruments at the end of other laparoscopes, from a remote console with a 3-D view. This allows the surgeon an unprecedented view of the surgical site. Until the development of Henry Ford’s dedicated robotic surgery program, the surgeon at the console was the only member of the team with this unique view.
The patient’s pain, blood loss, risk of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and recovery time in the hospital and at home are significantly reduced by this procedure. With traditional radical prostatectomy, people are usually in the hospital for two to three days. With robotic prostatectomy, most patients are discharged the day after surgery.
Visual Experience:

Ross Hauer
– Ms. Hauer is an insurance and billing specialist. She will assist you with your specific insurance needs. She can be reached at 313-916-4712.

Arleeta Ellerbee
– Ms. Ellerbee is our patient advocate. She answers the toll-free Vattikuti phone line (888-881-1117). She can answer basic questions about the procedure and schedule consult appointments r. She can assist with special needs that patients may have such as transportation or lodging arrangements.

Andrea Simone, R.N.
– Ms. Simone is registered nurses with a combined experience of more than 30 years in urologic nursing. You may see her for preoperative visits or for follow-up in the clinic.

Natalie Martinez
– Ms. Martinez is our nutritionist. The VUI recognizes the value of a healthy lifetstyle for total wellness. As rates of obesity and chronic disease continue to rise, the need for healthy lifestyle changes become more apparent. Natalie helps any concerned patient with information about healthy eating and exercise after prostate surgery.

Emily Carbott
– Ms. Carbott schedules the patient's robotic surgery. She ensures every patient recieves a convenient date based on their preferences and their other commitments.

Sevices

The VUI not only includes comprehensive treatment of prostate cancer, we offer other patient care services:


Beyond just clinical care, the Vattikuti Urology Institute provides a variety of services so patients can receive fully personalized care.

Masseuse

Patients can receive massages to relieve physical and psychological pressure. The massage treatments also help patients re-attain comfortable posture and movement.




Nutrition

Our nutritionist helps evaluate the diets of patients and suggest ways of improving health by modifying the patient’s intake of certain food items and improving lifestyle habits. Our department as also published an nutrition guide exclusively for patients called the “the VUI Complementary Medicine Owner’s Manual”.

Physical Trainers

Physical trainers focus on improving fitness and returning patients to their healthy, active lifestyles.

More Robotic Procedures

Dr. Menon and the surgeons at the Vattikuti Urology Institute are experienced innovators in the use of robotic surgery in improving patient care. We offer the following procedures.

Kidney:

-Robotic Partial Nephrectomy:

Robotic surgery to remove kidney tumor while preserving the remaining kidney(also called renal-sparing surgery)

-Robotic Radical Nephrectomy:

Robotic surgery to remove the entire kidney for large tumors or disease.

-Robotic Pyeloplasty:

Repair of the blockage in the area where the ureter attaches to the kidney .

-Robotic Nephroureterectomy:

Removal of the kidney and ureter for transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.

-Robotic Pyelolithotomy:

Removal of large kidney stones that fail treatment by other methods.

-Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication:

Removal of kidney cysts that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure.

BLADDER:

-Robotic Radical Cystectomy:

Robotic surgery to remove the bladder for large tumors or disease.

Robotic Prostatectomy

About the VIP Procedure:

This is currently our preferred procedure for removal of the prostate.A team of surgeons led by Dr. Mani Menon, performs the operation. We have performed over 4000 such operations over a 7-year period,the word's largest experience.The unique procedure combine the oncological principles of "open" radical prostatectomy with the minimum invasiveness of laparascopic surgery,Established by Dr. Menon.

With the state of the art “da Vinci” system,the surgeon uses a three – dimensional computer vision system to manipulate robotic arms.These robotic arms hold special surgical instruments that are inserted into the abdomen through tiny incisions. A laparascope- a long,thin,lighted telescope- is inserted through one incision and connected to the computer monitor that allows the surgeon to see inside the body.

The three-dimensional view helps the surgeon more easily find and preserve the delicate nerves and muscles that surround the prostate. The robotic arms can rotate a full of 360 degrees. This allows the surgeon to manipulate surgical instruments with greater precision and flexibility.

The prostate,nearby lymph nodes,seminal vesicles and adjacent tissues are removed through the small incisions,which are closed with few stiches. With the robotic technology,surgeons can manipulate instruments with greater precision and flexibility. Most patients go home within 24 hours and return to normal activity within 2 weeks after surgery. Patients walk the evening of surgery and begin a clear diet one day after surgery. Most patients have very little pain after the robotic procedure.

To qualify for this type of surgery,patients must be free of other significant health problems and be within a fairly normal weight range.

The Following side effects can occur any time a prostate is removed. In our experience,they are less with VIP than with open prostatectomy.

-Sexual Function.

-Urinary Continence

-Scarring

Vattikuti Institute Of Prostatectomy

The Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP) is a robotic procedure developed by the VUI. This is the institute's preffered procedure for the removal of the prostate .Dr.Mani Menon had developed the VIP procedure and under his guidance,urologists at the VUI were the first in the world to perform using the da vinci robot.

In 2001,only about a 100 VIP procedure surgeries were being done world wide.

In 2007,more than 30,000 patients had the VIP procedure performed on them.

Patients undergoing the VIP procedure have the following advantages:

* Less Pain
* Faster Recovery
* Shorter Hospital Stays (usually 24 hours)
* Minimum Complications
* Earlier return of urinary control.

Why Choose the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy?

The Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy,or VIP is a method of robotic prostatectomy

developed by surgeons at Henry Ford Hospital..Since the first case in 2001,more than 40,000 cases have been performed world wide.

The operation has achieved spectacular acceptance by patients. In 2001,less than 100 cases were done world wide (90 percent of them were done at Henry Ford).

In 2007,it is estimated that more than 30,000 patients will undergo the VIP robotic prostatectomy,with minor modifications.

In the hands of surgeons at the Vattikuti Urology Institute,robotic technology enhances the advantages of laparascopic surgery,taking it to the next level.

Compared to open surgery,robotic laparascopic radical prostatectomy offers:

* Less pain
* Fewer complications
* Shorter hospital stays
* Faster recovery
* Earlier return of urinary control
* Improved sexual function
* Less internal scarring

Vattikuti Urology Institute

The VUI (Vattikuti Urology Institute ) is notable for being the first institute to establish robotic surgery as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer. To date . The VUI has performed nearly 4,000 robotic procedures,The institute currently has 110 regular staff members,

19,full- time senior staff members,14 clinical staff members and 5 full – time Ph.D scientists .



VUI is also one of the largest and most active urology departments in the united states,with nearly 50,000 patients annually from all states and nearly 25 countries.







How experienced is the Vattikuti Urology Institute in this procedure?

The Vattikuti Urology Institute has performed more robotic procedures than any other hospital in the world. Surgeons at the institute developed the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy,and were the first in the world to perform the WHY VUI?

procedure on an outpatient basis. On average,we complete between 20-25 procedures per week.

The Vattikuti Urology Institutehas performed more robotic procedures than any other hospital in the world to perform the procedure on an outpatient.



Contributions:

Developed by surgeons at Henry Ford Hospital's Vattikuti Urology Institute,a new technique of nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy called the Veil of Aphrodite results in significantly better erectile function outcomes than in those who receive conventional nerve-sparing surgery-without compromising cancer control.

Some of the worlds first and most progressive procedures to treat prostate cancer are performed at the Vattikuti Urology Institute. It is a comprehensive clinical,research and teaching institute that consistently ranks among the nation's best in urology.

If you are experiencing a serious health problem and want a second opinion on treatment options,the specialists at the Vattikuti Urology Institute are prepared to help you. Our team of physicians will evaluate your case and determine how to best meet your medical needs

Dr Mani Menon

Dr. Mani Menon is one of the foremost urologists in the united states (U.S). Dr. Menon (born July 09,1948), in Trichur, India, is an American surgeon and the director of Vattikuti Urology Institute at the Henry Ford. He graduated from JIPMER Pondicherry and did his residency in urology at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, USA with Dr.Walsh,Dr. Menon developed a technique to measure androgen receptors in the human prostate, the first such measurement.Later he moved to Washington university in St. Louis, where he quickly established himself as a Surgeon-Scientist, performing complex re-constructive surgery, while establishing his own research laboratories .

The techniques involved in nerve-sparing, radical prostatectomy were being developed by Dr. Walsh when Dr. Menon was at Johns Hopkins .This enabled him to become one of the first surgeons in the world to perform this delicate operation.

At the age of 34, he became the youngest chairman of urology in the U.S.A. In 1997, Dr. Menon was recruited to Henry Ford Hospital to invigorate the prostate cancer programs there. At Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Menon and his team developed techniques for robotic surgery in general and robotic prostatectomy . The operation was redesigned to take advantage of the features of the robot.

The robotic approach that Dr. Menon has developed, Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy or VIP, has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer .
Dr. Menon has published more than 250 papers, primarily in the field of robotic surgery, renal transplantation and urolithiasis Dr. Menon is profiled in the best doctors of America and the International Who's Who in biology and Medicine .He has been a visiting professor at various institutions not only inside the USA, but also all across the globe, where he has lectured and performed
robotic surgery .

In 2008, the president of India awarded him the B.C.Roy National award for Eminence in medicine recognizing his key role in developing the field of robotic surgery.

Dr. Menon's early interest were in reconstructive surgery for complex renal stones, while his search interests were in cell-crystal interactions as they relate to renal stones.
At Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Menon and his team developed techniques for robotic surgery in general prostatectomy .The robotic that Menon has developed, Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy or VIP, has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer.


Clinical and Special Medical Interests:-

-Prostate Cancer
-Urologic oncology
-Reconstructive urology
-Laparascopic prostatectomy.



AWARDS AND HONORS:-

Castle-Connolly's Best Doctors in America
Hour Magazine's Top Docs
Crains Detroit – American Dreamers
Top Indian Doctors in America – Little India Magazine
International Who's Who in Biology and Medicine
Gold Cystoscope Award-American Urology Association
Shusruta Award Of Distinction in Urology – Indian American Urological Association.
Marquis' Who's Who in America
Marquis' Who's Who in the World.


RECENT PUBLICATIONS:-

Cancer Control and the preservation of neurovascular tissue : how to meet competing goals during robotic radical prostatectomy, British Journal of Urology International, April 2008.Optimizing robotic renal surgery : The lateral camera port placement technique and current results: Journal of Endourology, March 2008 Evolution of robotic prostatectomy : Assessment after 2766 procedure, Cancer, November 2007
Concurrent upper and lower urinary tract robotic surgery: Strategies for success, British Journal of Urology, November 2007

LOCATIONS:-

Vattikuti Urology Institute
Henry Ford Hospital
2799 West Grand Blvd.
Detroit MI 48202
1-888-881-1117

New York University Medical Center
150 East 32nd St. New York, NY 10016
1-646-744-1519.