STHS launches new robotic surgery program

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM MCALLEN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW ROBOTIC SURGERY PROGRAM WITH SPECIAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

STHS McAllen has now enhanced its capabilities to perform advanced surgical procedures with increased precision with the acquisition of the da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgical System

Since its inception, robotic surgery has pushed the limits of soft-tissue open surgery, giving surgeons greater precision, flexibility and control. Beyond the opportunity to restore the quality of life for more patients, robotic surgery helps reduce surgical complications, improve safety and shorten recovery times, including length of stays in hospital.

By broadening capabilities within operating rooms across the nation, robotic surgical platforms are changing the medical landscape through advanced and innovative technology.

In the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System McAllen is expanding its capabilities to navigate complex anatomy and perform advanced surgical procedures with the procurement of the da Vinci 5 (DV5) Robotic Surgical System, the latest in robot-assisted surgical technology from Intuitive Surgical.

After becoming one of the first hospitals in the region to acquire the DV5 in March, STHS McAllen hosted a special launch event on Thursday, April 17 to officially launch its robotic surgery program and help educate the community about robotic surgery.

“STHS McAllen is committed to improved patient outcomes, and through the DV5 – one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in healthcare at the moment – we’re able to deliver enhanced surgical senses that improve patient outcomes by helping reduce pain and blood loss, improve recovery times and decrease the risk of complications compared to traditional surgery,” says Dr. Miguel Rodriguez, Medical Director, Robotic Surgery Program, STHS McAllen. “In order to enhance lives and improve patient outcomes, we must incorporate the latest technology and we’re beyond excited to offer this technology to the people of the communities we serve.”

Used routinely in many laparoscopic soft-tissue procedures including urologic, gynecologic and general surgeries, the DV5 features more than 150 design innovations and 10,000 times the computing power compared to previous models to deliver greater surgeon autonomy.

Through small incisions, robotic arms mimic a surgeon’s hand movements with enhanced steadiness, allowing for minimally invasive techniques, resulting in overall improved patient outcomes.

Compared to traditional surgery, robotic surgery provides numerous benefits to the patient, including smaller incisions, reduced pain and discomfort, faster recovery, lower infection risk, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay and minimal scarring.

“We exist to serve our patients and address the needs of our community,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “This is just one tool that we can offer our surgeons to take patient care to the

nest level. They already do amazing work, but adding the DV5 to their toolkit just means we’re getting the best possible patient outcomes.”

The special ceremony featured the participation of hospital leaders, the surgeons who operate the DV5 and community members and leaders.

Beyond highlighting the DV5 and offering insight to the community on the benefits of robotic surgery, the celebration also featured the participation of 11-year-old Sunnie Bennett, the winner of STHS McAllen’s Name the Robot Contest.

Inspired by her father’s name, the IDEA Los Encinos Academy fifth grader created the acronym ChRIS, which stands for Comprehensive Robotic Intelligence Surgeon, to describe the DV5.

“Since I love science, I wanted to enter for a chance to see this robot up close,” says Sunnie, whose father recently underwent a procedure conducted by Dr, Rodriguez using the newly named DV5. ChRIS. “I knew about my dad’s procedure, and I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be funny if ChRIS were to operate on my dad, Chris,’ and that’s how I came up with the name.”

To date, STHS McAllen has performed 25 robotic surgery procedures since acquiring the DV5, with positive outcomes reported by the surgeons across those cases.

It’s all part of STHS McAllen’s commitment to improved patient outcomes in its mission to provide quality, compassionate care to residents in the communities it proudly serves.

To learn more about the surgical services available through STHS McAllen, visit the facility’s website at https://www.southtexashealthsystemmcallen.com/services/surgery.  

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 and only 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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