El Camino Hospital performed its 500th robotic surgical procedure at the end of 2012. The patient, Isabella Zanger, a nurse from Hollister, underwent a hysterectomy to remove uterine fibroids.

“To reach a milestone like this speaks to the breadth of experience and knowledge that our surgical team possesses,” surgeon Dwight Chen said. “Having robotic surgical tools like the da Vinci Surgical System enable us to provide patients, like Ms. Zanger, with more minimally invasive options, which can help reduce recovery time and help her get back to normal daily activities faster.”

Both El Camino Hospital campuses have da Vinci systems, allowing surgeons to perform minimally invasive uterine, prostate, lung and kidney procedures, which are complex and delicate but can have significant benefits for patients, including less scarring and a lower risk of surgical complications.

Though it is often called a robot, the da Vinci cannot act on its own. The surgeon controls every aspect of the surgery. The system uses 3-D, high-definition surgical technology that allows physicians to guide tiny cameras and instruments through the procedures.

“Knowing that the surgeons at El Camino Hospital had performed so many of these surgeries using the robotic systems, I felt I was in the right hands,” Zanger said. “I am grateful to my surgical team for removing the fibroids that were literally weighing me down and helping me get back on the road to a more normal life.”

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