Robotic Surgery

UT Southwestern offers our patients robotic-assisted surgery for a range of procedures. Ideally suited for working in small, tight spaces within the body, the sophisticated robotic platform operated by our specially trained surgeons overcomes some of the limitations of both traditional open surgery and conventional minimally invasive surgery. For example, the robot’s mechanical articulating tip allows for up to 9 degrees of movement, which is more flexible than a human wrist. And the stereoscopic eyes give surgeons lifelike visibility, depth, and detail during the procedure. 

Robotic surgery offers patients less pain, fewer complications, and a faster return to normal daily activities.

Robotic surgical procedures performed at UT Southwestern include:

• Colorectal surgery
• Endocrine surgery
• General gastrointestinal surgery
• Gynecologic surgery
• Head and neck surgery
• Hernia surgery
• Thoracic surgery
• Urologic surgery

Dual-Console Robotic Platform

Our dual-console robotic platforms, available at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital and Zale Lipshy University Hospital, not only help train the next generation of robotic surgeons but also allow two skilled surgeons to operate simultaneously on a patient.

Robotic Surgery Team Accomplishments

Our robotic surgeons are some of the most experienced of their kind in the nation. 

At UT Southwestern, we performed:

• The first robotic single-incision (through the belly button) kidney removal in North Texas and the first single-incision kidney drainage reconstruction in Texas.
 Jeffrey Cadeddu, M.D., performed the surgery.
• The first robotic single-incision (through the belly button) ovary removal in North Texas. Mayra Thompson, M.D., performed the surgery.
• The first transoral (through the mouth) robotic procedure in Dallas to remove throat tumors.
 Baran Sumer, M.D., performed the surgery.
• The first robotic lung-tumor procedure, and the first chest wall resection in North Texas.
 Michael DiMaio, M.D., performed the surgery.

Our surgeons have also helped advance the field and are unique in many ways. For example:

Kemp Kernstine, M.D., performed several first robotic chest procedures and techniques, including the first published robotic oncologic esophagectomy in the world. He has become one of the highest volume robotic thoracic surgeons in the country with outstanding results.

Ellen Wilson, M.D., is one of few in the region who performs robotic tubal reversals.

Our robotic surgery team also includes specially trained nurses and physician assistants. Understanding all aspects of robotic surgery, this elite team is trained in preoperative, operative, and postoperative robotic surgery and patient care.