STHS Heart has officially logged 500 robot-assisted surgeries

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM HEART CELEBRATES 500TH ROBOTIC SURGERY MILESTONE

Two years after launching its robotic surgery program to offer patients minimally invasive surgical options, STHS Heart has officially logged 500 robot-assisted surgeries at the facility

To enhance patient care by offering more precise, less invasive procedures with faster recovery times and reduced complications, South Texas Health System Heart launched its robotic surgery program in June 2023 with the acquisition of the da Vinci XI platform.

Two years later, the facility has officially completed its 500th robotic surgery, an inguinal hernia repair performed in early July by Bob Saggi, MD, FACS, a general and robotic surgeon with STHS Clinics.

“This milestone is a testament to the commitment of community surgeons like Dr. Saggi to the robotic surgery program at STHS Heart, as well as our dedication to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that leads to improved patient health, safety and satisfaction,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “Our robotic surgery program has allowed us to improve patient outcomes as we strive to deliver advanced care for the residents of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Considered the most effective, least invasive option for certain procedures like hernia repairs, gall bladder removals and hysterectomies, robot-assisted surgery requires only a few small incisions, rather than one large one.

The minimally invasive approach allows surgeons to utilize special instruments that bend and rotate further than the human hand can while a microscopic-sized camera and 3D high-definition vision system helps guide surgeons during the procedure, providing them with a magnified view of the surgical site.

“Robotic surgery platforms like the da Vinci Xi provide surgeons with enhanced vision, precision and control, which enable us to perform more complex procedures with greater accuracy, leading to improved surgical outcomes and faster recovery times for patients,” says Dr. Saggi. “Potential benefits for our patients include less pain, fewer complications, less blood loss, less scarring, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to normal daily activities.”

Since acquiring the da Vinci Xi surgical robot, seven community surgeons have performed 503 procedures at STHS Heart, including bariatric procedures like sleeve gastrectomies and gastric bypasses, as well as general surgeries like colorectal surgeries.

They are Ernesto Garza Jr., MD, FACS, FASMBS (129); Saggi (120); Michael Martinez, MD (97); Jesus Garcia (75); Reinaldo Morales, MD, FACS (45); Sandra Esquivel, MD, FACS (19); Miguel Rodriguez, DO (10); Luis Reyes, MD, FACS, FASMBS, ABOM Diplomate (6); Desmond Adamu, MD (1); and Phillip Kim, MD (1).

“Our sincere appreciation to the community surgeons who have supported STHS Heart’s mission to provide our patients with minimally invasive surgical options like the ones performed using the da Vinci Xi,” said Ivory. “We’re dedicated to providing the highest level of quality, compassionate care to our patients beyond the cardiovascular care for which we’ve received nationally recognition. We want our patients to know they can get outstanding, close-to-home surgical care at our facility. And we’re proud to have this technology in our surgical arsenal.”

STHS Heart’s da Vinci Xi system was the third of its kind at South Texas Health System. In 2015, STHS Edinburg became the first medical facility south of San Antonio to use the da Vinci Xi system and later acquired its second da Vinci Xi in February 2021.

In addition, STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg are both home to a da Vinci 5 platform, Intuitive Surgical’s most advanced and integrated robotic surgical system to date.

For more information about the minimally invasive surgical services available at STHS Heart, visit STHSHeart.com or call (956) 994-2000.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

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