Clinton, MD – MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center has expanded its robotic surgery program with the introduction of the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, the latest and most advanced generation of Intuitive’s robotic technology. The new system significantly enhances the hospital’s capabilities, offering more than 10,000 times the computing power of previous da Vinci models.
The da Vinci 5 system will be used for minimally invasive procedures across multiple specialties, including gynecologic, urological, and gastrointestinal surgeries. Procedures such as hysterectomies, prostate and kidney surgeries, gallbladder removal, and colon cancer surgeries will now benefit from the robot’s advanced precision and enhanced visualization capabilities.
The expansion allows MedStar Southern Maryland to operate two dedicated robotic surgery suites simultaneously. Dr. Nahid Mazarei, OB/GYN and a leader in the hospital’s robotic surgery program, performed the hospital’s first gynecological surgery using the da Vinci 5 system in December 2024. Mazarei emphasized the impact of this addition, stating that it enables more patients to access advanced robotic procedures close to home.
Advancements in Patient Care
The da Vinci 5 robotic system introduces more than 150 design innovations, improving both surgical precision and patient outcomes. Key enhancements include:
- Force Feedback technology, which allows surgeons to feel surgical areas through the robotic arms, increasing precision in delicate procedures
- Higher-resolution 3D imaging, providing a clearer, more magnified view of the surgical site
- Enhanced workflow efficiencies, enabling greater surgeon autonomy and streamlining the operating room process, which can shorten surgical times
The new robotic system complements MedStar Southern Maryland’s existing da Vinci technology, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to minimally invasive surgery, which is associated with less trauma to the body, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less post-operative pain, and quicker recovery times.
Dr. Stephen T. Michaels, president of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and senior vice president of MedStar Health, said the expansion reflects the hospital’s dedication to offering state-of-the-art technology and improving health outcomes for the community.
