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UC Irvine Medical Center to Perform First Surgery in California Using New da Vinci® S HD™ Robotic Surgical System

Orange, Calif., March 28, 2007 -- University of California, Irvine Medical Center is taking robotic surgery to a new level, becoming the first hospital in California to perform surgery using the newly developed da Vinci S HD Robotic Surgical System. The da Vinci S HD System enhances the surgeon’s manual capabilities and visual perception, making it the most advanced robotic platform for minimally invasive surgery in the world today.

“We are pleased to be the first hospital in the area to offer the latest robotic technology to our patients,” said Dr. David Bailey, vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “Robotic surgery benefits patients in many ways, including smaller incisions, shorter hospitalizations and quicker recoveries. The new high-definition system will enhance our surgeons’ capabilities, providing them greater visual acuity. Having the best image quality available should translate into better operations and better outcomes.”

High-definition (HD) projection provides twice the viewing resolution and 20 percent more viewing area compared to da Vinci’s standard 3D vision system. The larger image improves clarity and detail of tissue and anatomy, which is critical when performing delicate reconstructive procedures. Along with HD, the new UC Irvine system features a fourth arm, designed to give surgeons greater control over the surgery. It also frees up an assistant to perform other duties more demanding than holding a retractor in place.

“As a surgeon, high-definition will allow me to extend my eyes and hands even further into the surgical field,” said Dr. Ralph Clayman, chair of the Department of Urology.  “If I can see better, then I believe I can perform surgery better. Also having four robotic arms instead of three gives me more control over the procedure, allowing me to guide each surgical instrument every step of the way.”

UC Irvine urologist David Ornstein and his surgical team will perform a radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci S HD System on Thursday, March 29. Ornstein and his team will be the first in California to use the new technology.

Innovations in robotics, computers and video imaging are extending the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to enhance a surgeon’s precision, dexterity and control. The technologies can result in a number of patient benefits, including smaller incisions, less pain, lower risk for wound infection, shorter hospitalizations and quicker recoveries.

Since UC Irvine Medical Center obtained Orange County’s first da Vinci Surgical System in 2002, robotic technology has been used for urologic, gynecologic, gastrointestinal and cardiac procedures. Dr. Thomas Ahlering introduced robotic prostatectomy to Southern California in 2002 and has since performed more than 500 prostatectomies. UC Irvine surgeons also were the first in Southern California to use robotic surgery for radical cystectomies for bladder cancer; 24 have been performed to date by Ornstein and Dr. Allan Shanberg.

The da Vinci S HD System complements a cadre of three other da Vinci robots at UC Irvine. One is used for patient care and two are dedicated to training community physicians and residents at the Astellas Minimally Invasive Surgery Education Center. The Astellas Center is the busiest robotic training center on the West Coast. In 2006, UC Irvine Medical Center hosted the first multidisciplinary surgical robotics conference in the U.S., drawing hundreds of surgeons from throughout the world.

For more information about the da Vinci S HD Surgical System visit www.intuitivesurgical.com. Photos and product sheets are also available by contacting Susan Mancia, smancia@uci.edu.

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About University of California, Irvine Medical Center: UC Irvine Medical Center is the only university hospital in Orange County, offering acute- and general-care service. It has the county’s only Level I trauma center, American College of Surgeons-verified regional burn center and National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Included in its University Children’s Hospital is the county’s most sophisticated neonatal unit, caring for more than 500 premature and at-risk infants a year. UC Irvine Medical Center also is the only hospital in Orange County recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer, digestive disorders, gynecology and urology.  It was also the first Orange County hospital to receive Magnet Designation for nursing excellence.

A video of the da Vinci S HD System is available online at intuitivesurgical.com/products »

View a video clip of Dr. Ralph Clayman discussing minimally invasive surgery »