Kaweah Health Reaches 2,500th Robotic Surgery Milestone

Dr. Joseph Ford, urologist, hit a milestone on September 30, performing the 2,500th da Vinci Xi robotic surgery at Kaweah Health.

“That means 2,500 patients have received less-invasive surgery, allowing for quicker recoveries at the skilled hands of our physicians,” said Jag Batth, Kaweah Health chief operating officer. “This is a testament to Kaweah Health’s substantial investment in innovative robotic technology.”

Dr. Ford is one of more than a dozen specially trained surgeons across several disciplines who utilize the da Vinci system at Kaweah Health.

With da Vinci, small incisions are used to introduce special instruments and a high-definition 3D camera. Seated comfortably at the da Vinci console, surgeons view a magnified, high-resolution 3D image of the surgical site while guiding the instruments through precise micro-movements.

Although used for several types of surgery, the da Vinci’s minimally invasive approach is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, where the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.

With robotic surgery, patients benefit from smaller incisions, faster recoveries, and maximum precision.

“Volume-wise, Kaweah Health is doing more robotic surgeries than any hospital in the area,” Dr. Ford said. “With the higher volume, Kaweah Health has more experienced surgeons and surgical teams, increasing access for patients.”

Kaweah Health brought robotic surgery to the community in 2010, when its first da Vinci robot was purchased. With more surgeons trained on the technology, about 400 robotic surgeries have been performed annually in the last few years.