Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky, MD was mentor to Dr. Seiji Matsumoto, MD during his visit from Japan to learn about robotic surgery. Photo by Richard Whelsky.
As professor and chair of urology at Upstate, Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky, MD is used to teaching medical students, residents and fellows the intricacies of robotic surgery. This week his operating room has included a special visitor from Japan.
Dr. Seiji Matsumoto, MD, one of the American Urological Association’s Academic Exchange Program Scholars this year, selected Upstate’s Bratslavsky as a mentor during his time in the United States. Matsumoto attended the association’s annual meeting in San Diego, then spent several days at the University of California at San Diego before traveling to Syracuse for a week at Upstate University Hospital. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Renal and Urological Surgery at Asahikawa Medical University.
Bratslavsky said his colleague observed multiple robotic surgical procedures involving the prostate, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries and lymph nodes. Japan recently approved the use of “robots,” such as the DaVinci Surgical System during surgery, so it’s a new technology for surgeons in that country. Matsumoto said his hospital will be purchasing the robotic tools soon.
Matsumoto said he was happy for the opportunity provided by the association to learn from experts such as Bratslavsky.
