Family surgical center gets new robotic surgical system in Santa Barbara 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – An outpatient surgery center has announced the use of a new robotic surgical system in Santa Barbara.

It's called the da Vinci 5® Robotic Surgical System.

“What we have in the latest da Vinci 5 model is increased computing power it creates for very efficient surgery," said Dr. Ben Wisner of Sutter Central Coast.

Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health, announced that Foothill Surgery Center is one of the first outpatient surgery centers in the country to use the da Vinci 5 system for robotic surgeries, marking a new era in outpatient surgical care. 

“Ultimately to impact patient care … provide patients in our community exceptional level of care they would  otherwise find in a hospital setting and get them home to their families same day so they can heal," said area administrator Tom Parra of the Foothill Surgery Center.

This added service at the center expands care options in our community.

It also addresses access for patients who may be experiencing difficulties in scheduling certain surgical appointments.

“I’m excited to continue providing women with another option … to receive the da Vinci care … this is surgery on our mothers our sisters our daughters … our grandmothers," said Dr. Charmian Dresel-Velasquez of the Foothill Surgery Center.

Doctors at the center believe operating with this robotic platform raises the bar for minimally invasive surgical care.

The precision of the Da Vinci 5 will empower surgeons to operate with much greater accuracy. 

This robotic surgical system also allows doctors to manipulate instruments in ways that are not possible with the human hand.

“So I can see tissue ... I can delicately dissect ... I can evaluate tissue," said Dresel-Velasquez.

Doctors look forward to this state-of-the-art robotic system allowing patients to ultimately return to a healthier life.