Mercy's Dr. Dwight Im One of Only Two U.S. Surgeons to Perform Livestreamed Surgery as Part of AAGL Conference

Nationally renowned gynecologic surgeon and leader of Mercy Medical Center’s prestigious gynecology and robotic surgery programs, Dr. Dwight Im is one of 18 physicians recognized in minimally invasive surgical techniques to perform livestream surgeries as part of the annual AAGL (Elevating Gynecologic Surgery; originally founded as The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) Global Congress.

A total of 18 surgeries will be performed worldwide, including in India, Australia, China, Belgium, Japan, Brazil, Italy, and the U.S., among other nations; Dr. Im will be performing one of only two surgeries to take place in the United States.

This year’s event is entitled, AAGL 2020 VIRTUAL – 49^th GLOBAL CONFERENCE on MIGS (Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery) and runs Friday, Nov. 6^th through Saturday, Nov. 14^th. Dr. Im will perform a robot-assisted laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy from the operating theater at Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, Friday, Nov. 13^th, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. EST.

Dr. Im will provide a live surgical demonstration of robot-assisted laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy using a technique called IMSWAY. He will demonstrate how to develop using a sequential and systematic method, para-rectal, para-vesical, vesicovaginal and obturator spaces. In addition, conference attendees will be shown how to identify and skeletonize the ureter using IMSWAY.

“IMSWAY is a robotic surgical alternative to traditional open and laparoscopic surgical approaches for addressing all manners of serious gynecologic conditions, including but not exclusive to, retroperitoneal hysterectomy, the removal of large fibroids, removal of severe endometriosis, surgical treatment of ovarian remnant syndrome, and other maladies involving the uterus,” Dr. Im explains. “IMSWAY involves these elements: entering the retroperitoneal space using the infundibulopelvic ligament; the medial leaf of the peritoneum; skeletonization of the ureter, water under the bridge, arriving at the origin of the uterine artery – IMSWA,” he added.

According to Dr. Im, conference attendees will have the opportunity to “learn how to develop avascular spaces of the pelvis with ease and so perform a retroperitoneal hysterectomy in a systematic way.”

According to a news release distributed by AAGL, MIG surgeons globally are virtually flocking to this year's Congress to view more live surgeries than ever presented historically at an AAGL Congress. Immediate translation allows renown, expert MIG surgeons from around the world to instruct in their native language during surgery while being simultaneously translated. "This is an unprecedented opportunity for learning," says Scientific Program Chair, Dr. Ted T.M. Lee. "We are removing language barriers, cost and time limitations which allows us to extend our reach and equip more minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons throughout the world than ever before."

Medical Director of The Neil B. Rosenshein, M.D., Institute for Gynecologic Care at Mercy, The Gynecologic Oncology Center at Mercy and The National Institute of Robotic Surgery at Mercy in Baltimore, Dr. Im specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers including ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers. Dr. Im also serves Medical Director of The Gynecologic Oncology Collaborative, a network of Gynecologic Oncology Centers throughout Maryland offering women access to top rated gynecologic care in a location that is convenient to them.

Dr. Im leads The National Institute of Robotic Surgery at Mercy, which offers surgical procedures performed by physician experts in multiple specialties and sub-specialties, including Urology, General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology at Mercy. He was the first surgeon to be named a "Gynecologic Oncology EpiCenter Surgeon" for the da Vinci robot. In 2015, Dr. Im was one of eight doctors elevated to Mentor Status in Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Im trains doctors from around the world in advanced, precision robotic surgery. 

AAGL is an international professional medical association of laparoscopic surgeons and the global leader in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. AAGL's mission is to elevate the quality and safety of health care for women through excellence in clinical practice, education, research, innovation, and advocacy. Since 1971, the AAGL has educated the world's finest surgeons and facilitated a global exchange of information regarding gynecological breakthroughs and best practices to improve women's health worldwide. For more about the AAGL visit http://www.aagl.org.