Minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery is an effective surgical method that is less intrusive than traditional surgery. By using small incisions and instruments, we are able to create positive surgical outcomes that typically have minimal scarring, faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays.
Robot-assisted surgery in Austin and Central Texas
At St. David’s HealthCare, through the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery (TIRS), our minimally invasive, robot-assisted technology enables surgeons to operate with a higher degree of accuracy and control.
This advanced technology is available for several surgical specialties and offers a wide range of advantages compared to traditional procedures.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Potential benefits of robotic surgery
Compared to traditional techniques, robot-assisted surgery is associated with several potential benefits, including:
- Better clinical outcomes
- Better visualization for surgeons through accurate, highly detailed 3D models
- Enhanced dexterity for surgeons through guided robotic controls or systems
- Less blood loss
- Less risk for follow-up surgery
- Minimal scarring
- Quicker recovery times
- Reduced complication rates
- Shorter hospital stays
How our robot-assisted tools work
Many of our surgical platforms use robotic technology. These systems enable complex surgeries to be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
Our systems use a robotic arm that a surgeon controls from a console. The arm features tools used during surgical treatment, including an endoscopic camera, a scalpel and other instruments.
These advanced systems can also generate 3D models of your unique anatomy. Using these detailed images, surgeons can better plan and perform treatment.
Surgeries we can perform using this technology
Medical teams at St. David's HealthCare can perform various surgeries using robot-assisted technologies. Surgical specialties taking advantage of these tools include:
Bariatric surgery
Compared to traditional laparoscopic bariatric surgery, robotic procedures offer a reduced rate of gastrointestinal leaks, less risk for follow-up surgery, and less chance that the surgeon will need to utilize open surgery once the procedure is underway.
Cardiothoracic surgery
Advanced technology enables doctors to perform surgery on the chest using small incisions. Minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgery is an option for specific cardiovascular treatments, including those used to treat valve prolapse and heart disease, and thoracic procedures, including lung surgery.
Colorectal surgery
Surgeons can perform colorectal procedures, such as colectomy (removal of all or part of the colon) and lower anterior resection (removing the rectum and attaching the colon to the anus), with robot-assisted tools. These surgeries are often used to remove cancer from colorectal tissue.
General surgery
Robotic technology allows surgeons to perform common surgical procedures, including:
- Acid reflux surgery
- Bariatric surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair surgery (ventral and inguinal)
- Pancreas surgery
- Small bowel surgery
- Spleen surgery
All robotic procedures can be completed successfully with small incisions (minimally invasive surgery), less blood loss and fewer complications than open surgery. Additionally, minimally invasive surgery performed with robotic technology allows for less pain and a quicker return to daily activities.
Gynecological surgery
Robot-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive option for many women's surgeries. We offer two formats for these procedures: multi-port surgery (several small incisions) and single-site surgery. Surgeries using this technology include:
- Endometriosis resection (removal of the tissue that lines the uterus)
- Hysterectomies (removal of all or part of the uterus)
- Myomectomies (removal of uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths)
Robotic surgery may be an option for cervical, ovarian or uterine cancers. We also perform urogynecological surgery to treat pelvic prolapse (a condition where the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs become weak or loose).
Orthopedic and spine surgery
Robotic technology allows surgeons to perform computer-assisted surgery on various joint and spinal abnormalities. The robotic approach allows for improved preplanning, accurate measurements, precise implant placement and better outcomes than traditional methods.
The following are types of procedures benefiting from robot-assisted technology:
- Knee surgery (partial and total)
- Hip surgery
- Shoulder surgery
- Spine surgery
Pulmonary procedures
Robotic technology allows physicians to more accurately identify, isolate and diagnose pulmonary nodules and irregularities discovered in radiologic studies. Robot-assisted pulmonary procedures:
- Decrease complications
- Increase the percentage of lesions with tissue diagnoses
- Potentially decrease the time from diagnosis to treatment in lung cancer
- Require no incisions
Reproductive endocrinology surgery
Reproductive endocrinology is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology. This medical field deals with endocrine disorders related to the reproductive system. Robot-assisted surgeries include:
- Endometriosis
- Reversal of tubal ligation (a procedure to reverse a tubal ligation, which is when the fallopian tubes are cut or blocked to prevent pregnancy)
- Treatment for excessive bleeding
Urologic surgery
Our robot-assisted system can be used to treat a variety of urologic conditions. Available procedures include:
- Cystectomy (removal of all or part of the bladder)
- Prostatectomy (removal of all or part of the prostate)
- Pyeloplasty (reconstruction of the renal pelvis to drain and decompress the kidney)
- Nephrectomy (removal of one or both kidneys)
Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery
HCA Healthcare is a world leader in robotic surgical procedures, performing over 100,000 cases in the U.S. and United Kingdom each year. HCA Healthcare’s national Robotic Service Line includes over 135 hospitals and approximately 250 of the world’s most advanced robotic systems.
At St. David’s HealthCare, we offer access to the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery (TIRS), an innovative infrastructure helping hospitals and physicians deliver the most technologically advanced and safe robotic surgery experience. The Institute has accomplished this by developing and studying the largest robotics surgery database in the world, with data spanning every aspect from administration through robotics surgical technique.
Specifically, TIRS:
- Creates real-time data analytics based on the world’s largest integrated database for robotic surgery, incorporating quality, training, performance, cost and reimbursement data
- Provides information and proven robotic surgery strategies to its Network Hospitals
- Trains affiliated surgeons and hospital team members using the most advanced robotic technology and best practices
Our precision, skill and comprehensive data join forces to benefit you and our surgeons.
Located in Austin, TIRS works with our sister hospitals in Texas to build robotic surgery strategies and programs while adhering to the safest, most innovative and most efficient robotic surgery techniques and protocols.
Advanced technology
Our leading-edge surgical platforms benefit our surgeons by allowing them to perform with greater precision, improved visualization and enhanced dexterity. For you, the potential benefits include reduced complication rates, shorter hospital stays and minimal scarring.
The da Vinci surgical system gives surgeons an advanced set of instruments to perform robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. Using instruments in real-time, this system delivers a highly magnified, 3D high-definition view of the surgical area, making it possible to operate through one or few small incisions.
With Mako SmartRobotics™, individuals with joint pain have an innovative solution. Using 3D computerized tomography-based software, our team of physicians can create personalized joint replacement surgical plans. Also committed to exceptional surgical outcomes, the ROSA Knee System assists surgeons with bone resections and implant positioning facilitation.
If you need specialized pulmonary procedures, our MONARCH® platform uses various technologies to give physicians greater control and vision during procedures, especially during biopsies. Additionally, Ion, a platform of Intuitive, offers robotic-assisted minimally invasive biopsy options, allowing surgeons to plan, navigate and perform the procedure with integrated system data.
Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery leadership team
Thomas Payne, MD, FACOG
— Executive Director
Dr. Payne joined HCA Healthcare in 2011 as the executive director of the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery. In January 2016, Dr. Payne was named HCA Healthcare’s National Medical Director for Robotics, while retaining his position as executive director.
His work as a surgeon and educator has helped patients and surgeons worldwide in thousands of robotic gynecologic cases. His primary passions are to champion advancements in the surgical sciences and to perform, assist and teach complex robotic surgery.
Luis E. Hernandez
— Director of Operations
Luis E. Hernandez serves as the director of operations at the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery. He holds a masters of business administration in management and healthcare administration as well as a bachelor’s of science in nursing.
Beginning his career in the military, Luis developed a focus on robotic surgery, circulating as a registered nurse in hundreds of robotic cases and successfully producing predictability models for robotic inventory and operating room time management.
Luis enjoys working alongside our nurses, surgical techs and surgeon to establish and maintain the gold standard for robot-assisted surgery in our operating rooms and give patients the absolute best care possible.
Tammy Henderson
—Administrative Assistant
As the Executive Administrative Assistant for the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery, Tammy Henderson performs all administrative duties for TIRS. In addition, Mrs. Henderson is the host for Robotic Case Observations and the organizer of special events at TIRS.
Mrs. Henderson started her career with HCA in 2012 with the Patient Access Department at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. She then moved over to St. David’s Surgical Hospital when it opened its doors in 2016.
Before joining HCA, Tammy was an Executive Assistant for Consolidated Freightways and Roadway Express.
National Hospitals
Over 135 hospitals located throughout the nation provide surgery data to the HCA Robotic Service Line, including quality measures, surgical team performance, cost and reimbursement. We use this information to share best practices for delivering excellence within our facilities.
The following hospitals participate:
- Alaska Regional Hospital
- Allen County Hospital
- Bayshore Medical Center
- Belton Regional Medical Center
- Brigham City Community Hospital
- Cartersville Medical Center
- Centennial Medical Center
- Centerpoint Medical Center
- CJW Medical Center
- Coliseum Medical Center
- Coliseum Northside Hospital
- Colleton Medical Center
- Conroe Regional Medical Center
- Dauterive Hospital
- Del Sol Medical Center
- Doctors Hospital of Augusta
- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
- Eastside Medical Center
- Fairview Park Hospital
- Frankfort Regional Medical Center
- Garden Park Medical Center
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Grand Strand Regional Medical Center
- Greenview Regional Hospital, Bowling Green
- HCA Florida Aventura Hospital
- HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital
- HCA Florida Blake Hospital
- HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
- HCA Florida Capital Hospital
- HCA Florida Englewood Hospital
- HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
- HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital
- HCA Florida JFK Hospital
- HCA Florida Kendall Hospital
- HCA Florida Lake City Hospital
- HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital
- HCA Florida Largo Hospital
- HCA Florida Largo West Hospital
- HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital
- HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
- HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
- HCA Florida Northside Hospital
- HCA Florida Northwest Hospital
- HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital
- HCA Florida Ocala Hospital
- HCA Florida Osceola Hospital
- HCA Florida Palms West Hospital
- HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital
- HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital
- HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital
- HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital
- HCA Florida South Shore Hospital
- HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital
- HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital
- HCA Florida Trinity Hospital
- HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital
- HCA Florida University Hospital
- HCA Florida West Hospital
- HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital
- HCA Florida Westside Hospital
- Hendersonville Medical Center
- Henrico Doctors Hospital
- Horizon Medical Center
- John Randolph Medical Center
- Kingwood Medical Center
- Lafayette Regional Health Center
- Lakeview Hospital
- Lakeview Regional Medical Center
- Las Palmas Medical Center
- Lee’s Summit Medical Center
- LewisGale Hospital – Alleghany
- LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery
- LewisGale Hospital – Pulaski
- LewisGale Medical Center
- Lone Peak Hospital
- Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center
- Mainland Medical Center
- Medical City Arlington
- Medical City Dallas
- Medical City Denton
- Medical City Fort Worth
- Medical City Las Colinas
- Medical City Lewisville
- Medical City McKinney
- Medical City North Hills
- Medical City Plano
- Menorah Medical Center
- Methodist Hospital
- Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital
- Methodist Stone Oak Hospital
- Methodist Texsan Hospital
- Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
- Mountain View Hospital
- Mountainview Hospital
- North Suburban Medical Center
- Northeast Methodist Hospital
- Ogden Regional Medical Center
- Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Overland Park Regional Medical Center
- Parkland Medical Center
- Parkridge East Hospital
- Parkridge Medical Center
- Parkridge West Hospital
- Parkridge West Legacy
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- Presbyterian St. Luke Medical Center
- Rapides Regional Medical Center
- Redmond Regional Medical Center
- Regional Medical Center of San Jose
- Research Medical Center
- Reston Hospital Center
- Rio Grande Regional Hospital
- Riverside Community Hospital
- Rose Medical Center
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- Skyline Medical Center
- Southern Hills Medical Center
- Southern Hills Medical Center – Las Vegas
- Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
- Mark’s Hospital
- Stonecrest Medical Center
- Summit Medical Center
- Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center
- Swedish Medical Center
- Terre Haute Regional Hospital
- The Medical Center of Aurora
- Timpanogos Regional Medical Center
- Trident Regional Medical Center
- Tulane University Hospital & Clinic
- Valley Regional Medical Center
- Wesley Medical Center
- Wesley-Galichia Heart Hospital
- West Hills Hospital & Medical Center
- West Houston Medical Center
- West Valley Medical Center
- Woman’s Hospital of Texas
Robotic surgery at St. David's HealthCare
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