Desert Regional Medical Center First in Riverside County to Install New Generation Surgical Robot

Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, recently installed the Da Vinci 5, one of the newest generations of surgical robots. Desert Regional’s Da Vinci 5 was the first in Riverside County and one of only eight to date in Southern California.

The $2.9 million investment in the Da Vinci 5 puts advanced technology for minimally invasive care into the hands of local surgeons specializing in urology, gynecology, bariatric and general surgery. It is the latest from the company Intuitive Surgical, which released the model just this year.

“We’re excited to bring this brand-new technology to our desert communities,” said William Brien, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Desert Care Network hospitals. “Desert Regional has been providing minimally invasive robotic surgery for many years, but the Da Vinci 5 takes the experience to the next level for our surgeons and our general surgery residents – which ultimately benefits our patients right here in the Coachella Valley.”

The new robot has more than 150 design innovations, according to Intuitive, including force feedback technology, which allows the surgeon to “feel” inside the body in a way that was not possible with prior models. The advancements also include higher resolution 3D images, better ergonomics and more real-time data during the surgery.

“Minimally invasive procedures have really transformed surgery in the U.S., reducing postoperative pain, complications and length of the hospital stay,” Dr. Brien said. “We are proud to be able to bring those advances to our patients.”