Tulane Medical Center offers dual console da Vinci® xi™ surgical system

Tulane Medical Center is one of two hospitals in the state to offer the newest and most advanced dual console da Vinci Surgical System. The $2.2M da Vinci Xi is a technological leap forward in replacing traditional, large-incision surgeries with a minimally invasive approach.

“As a pioneer in robotic surgery, we are excited to add this next generation robotically assisted surgical system to our operating room,” said Geoffrey Talbert, Tulane’s vice president of surgical services. “This state-of-the-art technology will help our highly skilled surgeons continue to deliver the expert surgical care for which Tulane is known.”

The dual console Xi system further advances the technology used in minimally invasive surgery for complex diseases and conditions in gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, cardiac and general surgeries, by allowing two surgeons to operate alongside one another during more complex cases.

“For the patient, surgery with da Vinci means lower blood loss, a quicker return to physical functions and a normal diet, and a shorter hospital stay,” said Tulane urological surgeon Dr. Raju Thomas.  “It also means resuming normal activities much quicker than with traditional surgery.

“And for me as a surgeon, it provides unparalleled clarity and precision.”

A key feature of the new da Vinci system is an overhead instrument arm designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position.

“We can now move among all quadrants of the abdomen during a procedure with this new unit,” Dr. Thomas said. “We are able to do larger and more complex operations, moving within the abdomen and not having to change the arms of the unit. And the camera on this new unit is exceptional.”

The Xi’s immersive 3D, high-definition vision system can be magnified up to 10 ten times, providing surgeons a highly detailed view of the surgery. The da Vinci instruments also have mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of the human wrist, allowing surgeons to make small, precise movements inside the body.

Tulane Medical Center was the first hospital in the Gulf South to perform robotic surgery. Tulane surgeons have performed more than 5,000 da Vinci robotic surgeries since 2002.

“The Xi is amazing not because of a single new innovation, but through dozens of small improvements made throughout the system based upon surgeon feedback,” Talbert said. “The previous model is a wonderful surgical device that will continue to be utilized, but the Xi provides a new surgical option for our more complex cases.”

Tulane performed its first surgery case with the Xi system on Friday, February 5.