First Bariatric Surgery Revision Using da Vinci Xi in El Paso Performed at Las Palmas Medical Center

EL PASO, TX—Las Palmas Medical Center recently became the first hospital in El Paso to perform a bariatric surgery revision using the da Vinci^® Xi Robotic Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical. A bariatric surgery revision is a surgical procedure performed on patients who have already undergone a form of bariatric surgery and have either had complications from the initial surgery, or haven’t achieved desired weight loss results. Eric Ahnfeldt, D.O., a bariatric surgeon and military surgeon at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, performed the procedure, which revised a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass.

“The da Vinci® Xi has advanced optics that allow surgeons to see tissue better,” Dr. Ahnfeldt said. “This is very important for any type of surgery revision where precise dissection is needed.”

The surgical system’s advancements allow patients less invasive surgical options, reduced pain and quicker recovery times as compared to traditional open procedures. To date, Las Palmas Medical Center has performed more da Vinci® robotic procedures, over a broad range of specialties, than any other hospital in El Paso.

“The da Vinci® has expanded our hospital’s capability to do more intricate procedures and allows us to continue to provide the highest level of care available,” Don Karl, interim chief executive officer of Las Palmas Medical Center, said. “We are committed to offering El Pasoans the latest in healthcare technology to improve patient outcomes.”

Intuitive’s surgical robot allows surgeons to control all of the robotic-arm movements seamlessly from a console. The da Vinci® features an enhanced design, including four overhead arms that can access the body from virtually any position. Additional upgrades include advances in the wristed instruments, enhanced 3D-HD vision for surgeons and greater capabilities for instrument attachment, which customizes each surgery for the patient and surgeon.