Robotic Surgery
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300
Our experienced surgeons have specialized training in using advanced robotic systems to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures. At UT Southwestern Medical Center, patients have access to the latest robotic surgical systems and our skilled surgical teams for treatment of a wide range of conditions and injuries.
Expertise in Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is minimally invasive surgery in which surgeons use a computerized system to perform complex procedures with greater precision and visibility. It uses smaller and fewer incisions, and fewer stitches than traditional open surgery.
During minimally invasive procedures, our surgeons use a laparoscope (thin, flexible tube with a lighted camera) and miniaturized instruments inserted through small incisions to access the treatment area. In robotic surgery, surgeons use the computerized system to control mechanical arms that hold a camera and the surgical instruments to perform laparoscopic surgery.
Ideally suited for working in small, tight spaces inside the body, the sophisticated robotic system operated by our specially trained surgeons overcomes some of the limitations of traditional open surgery and conventional minimally invasive surgery. The robotic arms have a greater range of motion than human hands and wrists, providing more flexibility for complex, delicate procedures. The stereoscopic monitor provides surgeons with a 3D, high-definition, magnified view for lifelike visibility, depth, and detail.
Robotic surgery offers patients less pain, fewer complications, and a faster return to normal daily activities.
First in Region to Use Newest Generation of Surgical Robot
Physicians at UT Southwestern Medical Center are the first in North Texas to use the newest generation surgical robot, the dual-console DaVinci Surgical System, enabling them to perform minimally invasive surgeries with even greater precision.
"The electronics in the robotic camera give you superior visibility compared to anything we have, including our own eyes," said Ohwofiemu Nwariaku, M.D., Associate Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Surgery.
Our skilled surgeons are some of the most experienced in the nation. At UT Southwestern, our robotic surgery team’s accomplishments include:
- The first robotic single-incision (through the belly button) kidney removal in North Texas and the first single-incision kidney drainage reconstruction in Texas, performed by Jeffrey Cadeddu, M.D.
- The first robotic single-incision ovary removal in North Texas, performed by Mayra Thompson, M.D.
- The first transoral (through the mouth) robotic procedure in Dallas to remove throat tumors, performed by Baran Sumer, M.D.
- The first robotic lung tumor procedure and the first chest wall resection in North Texas
Our surgeons have helped advance the field of robotic surgery in many unique ways:
- Kemp Kernstine, M.D., performed several of the first robotic chest procedures and techniques, including the first published robotic oncologic esophagectomy (surgery to remove cancer from the esophagus) in the world. He has become one of the highest volume robotic thoracic surgeons in the country, providing outstanding results.
- Ellen Wilson, M.D., is one of few in the region who performs robotic tubal reversal, a procedure to reconnect a woman’s fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Tubal reversal restores fertility after tubal ligation, a procedure to cut or block the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.
- Herbert Zeh, M.D., an innovator and leader in the field of pancreatic diseases and pancreatic cancer, has performed more Whipple procedures for pancreatic cancer than anyone in the U.S.
Our robotic surgery team includes specially trained nurses and physician assistants. Understanding all aspects of robotic surgery, this elite team has specialized training in patient care before, during, and after robotic surgery.
Conditions We Treat with Robotic Surgery
At UT Southwestern, patients have access to surgeons with expertise in robot-assisted surgery to treat:
- Abdominal wall hernias
- Cardiovascular conditions such as heart valve disorders, congenital heart defects, and atrial fibrillation
- Certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal cancer
- Digestive tract conditions such as gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal cancer, esophageal diseases, and stomach cancer
- Endocrine conditions such as thyroid cancer, thyroid diseases, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic diseases
- Gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, cancer, and other conditions affecting women’s reproductive organs
- Hepatobiliary diseases such as liver cancer and conditions affecting the gallbladder and bile duct
- Obesity
- Oral and maxillofacial conditions and injuries affecting the mouth, jaw, and face
- Urological conditions such as bladder cancer, kidney diseases, and women's and men's urinary tract conditions
Options for Robotic Surgery
Our highly trained surgeons use robot-assisted surgery in several specialties, such as:
- Bariatric surgery
- Cancer surgery
- Colorectal surgery
- Endocrine surgery
- General gastrointestinal surgery
- Gynecologic surgery
- Head and neck surgery
- Heart valve surgery
- Hernia repair surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Reconstructive urology
- Thoracic surgery
- Transoral robotic surgery
- Urologic surgery
Our dual-console robotic platforms not only help train the next generation of surgeons in robotic surgery, but also allow two skilled surgeons to operate simultaneously on one patient. These systems are available at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.
Related Conditions and Treatments
- Acid Reflux
- Bariatric Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- Endocrinology
- Gallbladder/Bile Duct Cancer
- General Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Gynecologic Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Hernia and Abdominal Wall Repair
- Liver Cancer
- Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Reconstructive Urology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Transoral Robotic Surgery
- Urology
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