Andrew Baniecki has been affected by spina bifida, a neurological disease that results in incomplete formation of the spine.
da Vinci Robotic System
Spina Bifida can cause the spine to stretch resulting in pressure on the nerves, which ultimately leads to impaired bladder and bowel functioning. Baniecki has been fighting the hyperactive bladder disease since childhood and is regularly put on a catheter to relieve his bladder. He has always dreamed of being a pilot, the condition of his bladder however, has been a major obstacle in appearing for the pilot’s licence test.
He was referred to Dr John Hariston of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital for undergoing a surgical procedure called the robotic bladder augmentation. Dr. Hariston is one of the very few physicians in the U.S who performs the robotic bladder augmentation. The surgical procedure is performed by using the intestinal tissue segments to reconstruct the bladder and the urinary reservoir. Hariston and colleagues discovered a robotic approach of performing the procedure by making small incisions, which can be covered only by band aids; this is in sharp contrast to large incisions that are made while performing the procedure conventionally. The robotic surgery involves lesser infection risk and ensures speedy recovery with minimum hospital stay.
Baniecki was operated using the da Vinci system in 2010. The surgery was a success and he no longer needs medication or catheter support. He has even flown the first training plane and has moved closer towards his dream of acquiring a pilot’s licence.