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  • LSUHSC hires surgical robot to remove salivary stone

    by 
    Darren Murph
    Darren Murph
    11.22.2010

    Louisiana State University's Health Sciences Center has just enlisted the support of a surgical robot "guided by a miniature salivary endoscope" in order to yank a 20mm salivary stone and mend the salivary duct of a 31-year-old patient. A bit gruesome to consider, sure, but it's a whole lot less invasive than removing entire salivary glands as we've had to do in the past. Purportedly, the new procedure saves the salivary gland, cuts down on blood loss, reduces scarring and shortens the accompanying hospital stay. While inside, the robot can also provide high-definition, 3D images, but there doesn't seem to be any public word on when this here doodad will be ready for use outside of a lab. We're guessing it'll get loads of testing done down in Baton Rouge, though -- this Les Miles fellow seems to be giving fans heart attacks, kidney stones and all sorts of other stress-related conditions.