Regional West First in Region to Use da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgery System

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West recently added the da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system, the latest robotic technology from Intuitive, to the facility’s robotic surgery suite. The new system joins the da Vinci Xi, which has been used at Regional West since 2020. Regional West surgeon Bradley Hertzler, MD, MDiv, FACS, had the honor of performing the region’s first da Vinci 5 robotic surgery on March 10.

The da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system includes more than 150 design innovations that have been developed to support surgeon autonomy and care team efficiency. Some of the notable improvements include new surgeon controllers and powerful vibration controls, a next-generation 3D display and image processing system, and Force Feedback technology that enables surgeons to sense and measure the force exerted on tissue during surgery.

“While we have proudly used da Vinci technology since 2020, we are thrilled to bring the da Vinci 5’s cutting-edge technology to Regional West,” said Regional West Senior Director of Peri-Op Services Judy Jarnigan, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN. “This upgrade showcases our commitment to providing innovative healthcare services for the people of the panhandle and beyond.”

The da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system is well-suited for colorectal, gallbladder, hernia, gynecologic, kidney, and prostate surgeries. Robotic surgery uses the small incisions of laparoscopic surgery while allowing the wristed movement and 3D visualization of open surgery. As with laparoscopic surgery, a miniature camera is inserted through a tiny incision, but the surgeon performs the procedure by guiding the surgical instruments and the camera while sitting at the console. The robotic computer system translates the surgeon’s hand movements in real time to manipulate the instruments as he or she performs the procedure.

“The da Vinci 5 is a tremendous addition to Regional West,” said Hertzler. “I am honored to be the first surgeon in the region to use this new technology, and I look forward to seeing how it will help my patients and my fellow surgeons’ patients in the years to come.”

About Regional West
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.