Accomplishments

Oct 2015 - Organized Canada's first in situ simulation of an intraoperative airway emergency using the actual operating room for Thoracic Surgery Residents, nurses, and faculty. Collaborators: Eustatiu Memu, Joel Bierer, Rob Leeper, Dalilah Fortin, Eric Frechette, Richard Inculet.

Jul 2015 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted emergency Nissen for an incarcerated giant paraesophageal cancer using Intuitive’s da Vinci® robot. Collaborators: Shaun Coughlin, Mehdi Qiabi

May 2015 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer using Intuitive’s da Vinci® robot. Collaborators: Shaun Coughlin, Kalvin Lung, Hussein Al-Amodi

Apr 2015 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted resection of a pericardial cyst using Intuitive’s da Vinci® robot. Collaborators: Shaun Coughlin, Hussein Al-Amodi

May 2014 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted thoraco-laparoscopic McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal cancer using Intuitive's da Vinci robot. Collaborators: Dalilah Fortin, Manal Alnaimi

Apr 2014 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer using Intuitive’s da Vinci® robot. Collaborators: Dalilah Fortin, Manal Alnaimi

February 2014 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia using Intuitive's da Vinci robot. Collaborators: Dalilah Fortin, Manal Alnaimi

May 2009 - Performed Canada’s first insertion of brachytherapy seeds with mesh into the lung to treat the lung after the removal of a lung cancer as part of the Randomized Phase III Study of Sublobar Resection versus Sublobar Resection plus Brachytherapy in High-Risk Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) 3 cm or smaller. Collaborators: Edward Yu, Craig Lewis

Apr 2008 - Performed Canada’s first VATS microwave ablation of a lung cancer

Sep 2004 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted transthoracic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm

May 2004 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm

Mar 2004 - Performed the world’s first image-guided robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a lung cancer using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm and a 3-dimensional ultrasound probe.

Oct 2002 - Performed the first robotic-assisted laparoscopic Nissen anti-reflux surgery in London, Ontario using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm.

Aug 2001 - Performed the world’s first robotic-assisted lung volume reduction using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm.

Mar 2001 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted resection of a lung cancer using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm.

Feb 2001 - Performed the world’s first telementoring using Computer Motion’s Socrates® Telemedicine platform between the University Hospital (Richard Malthaner M.D.) and Victoria Hospital (Richard Inculet M.D.)

Jan 2001 - Performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted apical bullectomy for a pneumothorax using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm.

Dec 1995 - Performed the first lung volume reduction surgery in London, Ontario.