University Hospitals (UH) is the first health system in Northeast Ohio to implement the Da Vinci 5 robotic platform, marking a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery.
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This state-of-the-art system brings substantial improvements over earlier models, enhancing precision and efficiency for surgeons, care teams, and patients alike. At UH Cleveland Medical Center, 26 trained surgeons will utilize the technology for a wide range of procedures, including complex surgeries like esophagectomies and gastric bypasses.
The adoption of the DV5 is not just about technology – it reflects UH’s strategic investment in the future of robotics. This aligns seamlessly with our mission to heal, to teach, and to discover, reinforcing our dedication to providing the highest-quality care for our patients while staying at the forefront of medical innovation. By integrating systems like the DV5, we are ensuring that UH remains a leader in both patient outcomes and surgical education.
Christopher Towe, MD, Thoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals
The first two cases performed using the DV5—a hiatal hernia repair and a thymus mass resection—were both successful. Thanks to the robot’s minimally invasive capabilities, both patients were able to return home within a day.
Key Features and Benefits of the Da Vinci 5
The DV5 incorporates insights from over a decade of research and more than 14 million procedures conducted on earlier Da Vinci models. Its key improvements include:
- Telepresence: Enables real-time live streaming of surgeries for global training, education, and collaboration.
- Compact Design: A smaller footprint allows integration into various operating rooms, including those not originally designed for robotic surgery.
- Enhanced Controls: Improved visualization and advanced haptic feedback ensure greater precision for minimally invasive procedures.
- Ergonomic Console: Redesigned to offer customizable positioning, enhancing comfort for surgeons during lengthy surgeries.
The benefits of the DV5 extend beyond the surgeon’s console. Its compact tower integrates multiple laparoscopic functions, streamlining the operating room setup and reducing the need for extra equipment. This design minimizes movement for circulating nurses, enhancing efficiency during procedures. Circulators can manage energy for cautery—essential for hemostasis—and adjust insufflation settings, which control the gas required to expand the surgical space.
This console is more ergonomically satisfying for the surgeons, and the tower enhances efficiency for the circulators. We can change those settings immediately for the surgeons, and the surgeons can adjust settings easily on their own. It is the small, but critical, details that make operating a better experience for all. We are excited to have this new technology and be the first in Northeast Ohio.
Larisa Rebello, Robot Coordinator, Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals