Project Pink machine reduces surgery time, saves lives
Benefits of New Machine Already Realized in Breast Cancer Surgeries
More than a dozen women have benefited from shorter breast lumpectomy surgeries at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital because of a new X-Ray Digital Specimen Radiography machine. Purchase of the unit was made possible thanks to generous community contributions to the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation through the Project Pink Campaign last fall.
The machine was first used during lumpectomies in December. It provides quick visual proof of whether a surgeon is able to remove all cancerous tissue from affected areas of a breast cancer patient, allowing the physician to complete the surgery faster. Previously, surgeons had to send the specimen to another location to scan the specimen and wait for the results while the patient was still under anesthesia.
“With this new machine we are receiving immediate feedback on the adequacy of a biopsy,” said Dr. Thomas Boyle, a surgeon who has utilized the new technology.
In addition to shorter surgery time for patients, benefits of the X-ray digital specimen radiography machine include more accurate confirmation that the entire specimen has been removed, and less time patients spend under anesthesia. Through Project Pink, the SNMH Foundation raised more than $100,000. Thanks to the SNMH Foundation, the new equipment was completely funded by Project Pink donations.
For more about Project Pink and the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, please call 530-477-9700.
