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St. David's South Austin Medical Center First in Texas to Use da Vinci® Si™ Surgical System To Perform Esophageal Procedures

Thursday, February 10, 2011

AUSTIN, Texas—St. David’s South Austin Medical Center recently became the first hospital in Texas to use the da Vinci® Si™ Surgical System to perform an esophagectomy. An esophagectomy is a surgical procedure in which the diseased portion of the esophagus is removed, usually as a treatment for cancer of the esophagus. Once the esophagus is removed, the area is reconstructed utilizing another organ in the body, such as the stomach or large intestine.

"During traditional esophagectomy procedures, the surgeon may make incisions in up to three areas, including the abdomen, chest and neck to successfully remove the esophagus,’’ Eric Hoenicke, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, P.A., who performed the first robotic procedure at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, said. “The most sizable incision, is made on the side of the chest, allowing direct access to the esophagus between the ribs. The da Vinci® system allows us to perform the esoghagectomy with smaller incisions and enhanced precision, increasing the chance that all of the cancer is successfully removed.”

Patients may also experience a less-painful recovery, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to their usual activities.

The da Vinci® Si™ provides an enhanced three-dimensional, high-definition vision of operative field with up to ten times magnification, offering superior visual clarity of the tissue and anatomy. Additionally, it provides surgical dexterity and precision far greater than even the human hand.

“These technological advancements provide our team of surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally invasive approach for many complex surgical procedures, such as esophagectomies,” Lisa Offord, Director of Surgical Services at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, said. “We believe that the new features of the da Vinci® Si™ System will help us provide the best possible outcomes for patients, reinforcing our commitment to providing the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery.”

The da Vinci® surgical system can be used for a number of oncological surgeries, as well as other procedures including hysterectomies, myomectomies, coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and colorectal surgery.


St. David’s South Austin Medical Center