El Camino Hospital Surgeons Perform 500th Robotic Surgery

Mountain View, CA - December 4, 2012 - As a leader in advanced surgical technologies, today, El Camino Hospital announced that it performed its 500th robotic surgical procedure this year. The patient, a nurse from Hollister, California, underwent a hysterectomy to remove uterine fibroids.

"To reach a milestone like this speaks to the breadth of experience and knowledge that our surgical team possesses," said Dwight Chen, MD, surgeon, Gynecology, Oncology. "Having robotic surgical tools like the da Vinci® Si Surgical System enable us to provide patients with more minimally invasive options, which can help reduce recovery time and help her get back to normal daily activities faster."

Both El Camino Hospital campuses have daVinci systems, allowing surgeons to perform minimally invasive uterine, prostate, lung and kidney procedures, which are both complex and delicate but can have significant benefits for patients including less scarring and less risk of surgical complication. Though it is often called a "robot," da Vinci cannot act on its own; the surgery is performed entirely by the physician. The system utilizes 3-D, high-definition surgical technology that allows physicians to guide tiny cameras and instruments through the procedures.

"Knowing that the surgeons at El Camino Hospital had performed so many of these surgeries using the robotic systems, I felt like I was in the right hands. I am grateful to my surgical team for removing the fibroids that were literally weighing me down and helping me get back on the road to a more normal life."

Article updated May 6, 2016