
Mega Doctor News
Since the first-ever robot-assisted surgery was performed 40 years ago, robotic surgery has helped revolutionize modern medicine by enhancing precision and minimizing invasiveness in procedures.
Following FDA approval of Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci Surgical System in 2000, a significant increase in the percentage of surgeons using robotic systems between 2012 and 2018 has been reported, including specialists at South Texas Health System Edinburg.
Since launching its robotic surgery program in 2015 as the first facility in South Texas to employ the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, which was considered by many in the medical community to be the leading robotic surgical system of its time, STHS Edinburg has helped significantly improve community health by offering more precise, minimally invasive procedures that lead to faster recovery times, fewer complications and reduced hospital stays.

“STHS Edinburg has always been committed to leveraging the latest medical technology like the da Vinci Xi to improve patient outcomes, including reducing surgical complications, improving safety and shortening recovery times for patients,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg & STHS Children’s. “The robotic surgery program has allowed us to deliver the highest level of care possible for the people of the Rio Grande Valley while establishing ourselves as a premier facility for minimally invasive procedures.”
In February 2021, STHS Edinburg – a Center of Excellence in robotic, minimally invasive and hernia surgery, as accredited by the Surgical Review Corporation – acquired a second da Vinci Xi surgical system, which allowed the facility to expand its robotic surgery footprint in the community.
Led by STHS Clinics surgeons Dr. Bob Saggi and Dr. Sandra Esquivel, STHS Edinburg has completed more than 4,000 robotic surgery procedures, including gallbladder removals, hernia repairs and colectomies, which have helped lower the risk of infection and other surgical complications.
“We’re honored to be a leader in bringing robotic surgical technology to our community that makes a profound difference in our patients’ lives,” says Ames. “With the experience and compassion of our community surgeons and the operating room staff at STHS Edinburg that’s dedicated to providing advanced surgical care, the level of care we’re able to provide our patients rivals that found in larger cities outside the Valley.”
To commemorate the facility’s decade of nationally recognized robotic surgical care and herald the program’s next chapter with the arrival of the da Vinci 5 (DV5) Robotic Surgical System, which builds upon the capabilities of previous da Vinci systems like the da Vinci Xi, STHS Edinburg will host a special community celebration on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Taking place in the main lobby of STHS Edinburg, the event will honor the community surgeons and facility’s operating room staff who have helped the program achieve national recognition, highlight the impact robotic surgery has had on community health and shine a spotlight on the new technology helping further improve patient outcomes.
The event is open to the community. For details, visit the STHS Facebook Events page.
For more information on the robotic surgery program at STHS Edinburg, visitwww.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.
Who: | South Texas Health System Edinburg |
What: | Robotic Surgery 10th Anniversary Celebration |
When: | Thursday, July 17, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. |
Where: | STHS EdinburgMain Lobby1102 W. Trenton Rd.Edinburg, TX 78539 |