Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital Debuts First-of-its-Kind Surgical Robot to the Public

How artificial intelligence is transforming medicine!

Tucson – It’s not often you see something so spectacular; it stops you in your tracks! Well, that is the da Vinci 5! Guests will be awe-struck at the unveiling of the amazing da Vinci 5 surgical robot at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital. They’ll even be allowed to take it for a test drive.

She (her voice is female) has four impressive arms, 10,000 times the computing power of her predecessor, is transforming the way doctors practice medicine.

“I’m proud to be the first surgeon in Tucson to have the opportunity to use the da Vinci 5 to help my surgical patients. Carondelet’s investment in this technology goes far beyond what’s ’new and cool’ -- it helps surgeons serve our patients in the gentlest and most healing way possible,” says Dr. Guillermo Higa, MD, Department Chief of Surgery, and a specialist in Bariatric and General Surgery.

“The enhanced depth perception significantly improves the surgeon's ability to conduct complex procedures with greater ease and safety. The da Vinci 5 takes physical strain off surgeons, prolonging our careers and can provide up to a 20 percent improvement in efficiency in the operating room,” he says. She also has a redesigned console allowing surgeons to find their best fit for viewing and comfort.

Additionally, the new platform, “the Hub,” harnesses the power of AI, allowing surgeons to access data from previous cases to inform future decisions.

Dr. Higa is the first to perform Bariatric (or any) surgery in Tucson using the da Vinci 5, a primary line of service at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital.  He says she allows him to apply up to 43 percent less force on human tissues/organs while performing surgery resulting in less trauma to the patient, something no other robotic surgical technology in any modality offers. It helps shorten a patient’s stay in the hospital, lessens post operative pain, and leads to faster recovery times and smaller incisions/scars.

Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital has equipped surgeons with the da Vinci 5 for patients requiring surgeries such as bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, hernia repair, appendectomy, and gall bladder removal, among other procedures.

“Our mission is to provide the best care to our patients, and we have been doing it for nearly 150 years. Carondelet’s continued investment in the most advanced robotic surgical platforms gives our surgeons the best technology to provide the best patient outcomes. Plus, when we provide our surgeons the latest advances in medicine, we help ensure the best possible care for the Tucson community,” says David Ziolkowski, Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital CEO.

Da Vinci 5 offers more than 150 enhancements, including new surgeon controllers, powerful vibration and tremor controls for even smoother and more precise movements. She is equipped with a high-quality and natural 3D imaging system, a feature necessary for long and complex surgeries to enable surgeons to see more as they operate.

“Carondelet continues to lead Tucson in the use of new medical technologies and make positive impacts in our community. By bringing the most advanced technology to Tucson, our investments and efforts are aimed at improving patient outcomes while regaining their health and wellness,” says Ziolkowski.