Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital celebrates a robotic surgery milestone

TUCSON – Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital is proud to announce a significant achievement in the field of robotic surgery. Since joining Carondelet in 2019, Dr. Guillermo Higa, a general and bariatric surgeon, has performed over 1,000 surgeries using the advanced Da Vinci Xi Robot.

This remarkable milestone highlights Dr. Higa’s dedication and expertise in robotic surgery, and it has positioned him as the highest-performing Da Vinci Robotic surgeon for weight loss surgery in the country this calendar year.

Robotic surgery with the Da Vinci Xi Robot represents a high-tech advancement in medical procedures. The surgeon operates from a console in the operating room, using their hands and feet to control the robot’s arms positioned over the patient. This minimally invasive technique involves several small incisions instead of a large open incision, resulting in numerous patient benefits, including smaller scars, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

"We are incredibly proud of Dr. Higa and his contributions to the field of robotic surgery," said David Ziolkowski, St. Mary’s Hospital Chief Executive Officer. "This achievement not only highlights the advanced surgical options available at our hospital but also reinforces our commitment to improving patient outcomes and offering the best possible care to our southern Arizona community."

"Reaching this milestone is a testament to the capabilities of robotic surgery and the exceptional care we strive to provide at St. Mary’s Hospital," said Dr. Higa. "The precision and control offered by the Da Vinci Xi Robot allows us as surgeons to perform complex surgeries with enhanced vision and dexterity, ultimately benefiting our patients."

For more information on bariatric surgery, visit https://www.carondelet.org/services/bariatric-surgery.