Oct 1, 2020 The Most Advanced Surgical Care

The New Head Of Surgery At Monmouth Medical Center Explains His Commitment To Performing Minimally Invasive Procedures In A Safe Environment.

In July, Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) welcomed Dmitry Oleynikov, MD, FACS, the new Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He is a nationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal surgery, complex hernia repair and revisional bariatric surgery. Over the course of his career, Dr. Oleynikov has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and more than 250 abstracts. Here, he explains his goals and how patients will benefit.

What attracted you to Monmouth Medical Center?

As the Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, I performed a variety of robotic surgeries, including gallbladder removal and complex hernia repairs. I also co-founded a company that develops miniature robots for surgical use. In recent years, I was working on clinical trials to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a next-generation robot. I was excited about the opportunity to return to clinical practice and work at a large, innovative academic medical center.

What are miniature robots?

Several different robots are currently used for surgery, but they’re large, expensive and can’t be moved from room to room. I created a handheld, portable robot that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive abdominal surgeries in any hospital or surgery center. It’s small, easy to control and weighs just two pounds (comparable robots weigh around 2,000 pounds). It’s also expected to be less expensive than the ones currently in use. With this robot, which is being studied for colon surgeries, the surgeon operates through a single incision in the belly button. This leads to a quicker recovery and a lower risk of infection. I’m currently developing similar devices for gallbladder, hernia and prostate surgeries.

How is MMC ensuring safe elective surgery?

Prior to surgery, patients have a telehealth visit with the perioperative team and are tested for COVID-19. During an operation, we wear personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection. We also use advanced disinfecting technology to sanitize our equipment. Finally, we try to perform operations on an outpatient basis so patients can recover at home.

What are your goals as the new Chairman and how will patients benefit?

I’m committed to performing surgery in a safe and minimally invasive way. Nearly every subspecialist at MMC is using top- of-the-line robotic technology to perform prostate, gallbladder, spine and uterine surgeries. In addition, we aim to provide value-based surgical care. We track patient outcomes to determine how we can provide the best care for the lowest risk and cost. MMC is a leader in patient safety, excellent outcomes and innovation, and I’m delighted that I have the opportunity to take this impressive surgical program to the next level.

You can learn more here.