It’s that time of year when universities and colleges organize their homecoming events, and nostalgic alumni flock back to campus to reunite with old friends. But for Ian S. Soriano, MD, GI surgeon at Pennsylvania Hospital, his return to the University of the Philippines wasn’t just about reliving memories of his medical school days. Soriano was recently recognized by his university for his exceptional clinical work, earning a Distinguished Alumnus Award in Surgical Innovation. But while he noted it was “quite the honor,” he insisted that this celebration was not just for him.
Last year, Soriano, Suhail K. Kanchwala, MD, section chief of Plastic Surgery at PAH, and an interdisciplinary group of breast surgery, GI surgery, plastic surgery, anesthesia, nursing, and OR team members performed the world’s first robotic-assisted bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The minimally invasive approach removes the need to cut into a patient’s lower abdominal muscles in order to harvest the skin, fat, and blood vessels used to rebuild the breast following a mastectomy. This technique reduces pain, shortens the length of stay, and virtually eliminates the need for narcotic usage, all while also helping patients recover without the physical and emotional hurdles associated with the traditional approach.
“This award really is for Pennsy,” Soriano said. “I think it’s important to remember that the real groundbreaking innovation here isn’t the use of a robot, but the collaborative spirit that made this possible. That doesn’t happen everywhere, and this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Dr. Kanchwala, our team, and hospital leadership.”