UF Health Flagler Hospital Adds Robotic Surgery

UF Health Flagler Hospital now offers patients the latest in robotic surgical care, thanks to the installation of the da Vinci 5, the most technologically advanced version of the surgical robot, according to a media release.

“The addition of this kind of advanced technology is a true testament to where UF Health Flagler Hospital is headed directionally, and it underscores our commitment to providing the highest-quality care possible in the community we serve. Patients no longer have to choose between the latest in state-of-the-art technology and getting surgical care in St. Johns County,” said Kerry Watson, interim CEO of UF Health St. Johns, in the release.

The da Vinci 5 has three main components: the patient cart, which holds the camera and the surgical arms that assist a physician with surgery; the surgeon console, where the surgeon sits to operate; and the vision cart, which manages communications between the robotic arms and the surgeon and has a screen to view the surgery in real-time, the release states.

According to the release, the newest da Vinci model has 10,000 times more computing power than the previous model, allowing it to perform tasks it could not perform previously.

The da Vinci 5 will initially be used in the areas of urology, gynecology, and general surgery, with the potential to expand services over time.

UF Health Flagler Hospital’s da Vinci 5 is only one of 3 in use in Northeast Florida and the first in St. Johns or Flagler counties, the release states.