Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook Campus is the first hospital in Southeast Wisconsin to introduce the cutting-edge da Vinci 5 (dV5) robotic surgical system. This next-generation technology significantly enhances surgeons’ capabilities, providing more precise and minimally invasive procedures.
“Ascension Elmbrook is among the top 10% of hospitals in Wisconsin for the volume of robotic surgery procedures and we are proud to bring the latest in surgical innovation to Southeast Wisconsin,” said Kurt Schley, Ascension Elmbrook president. “The da Vinci 5 reflects our commitment to investing in and providing state-of-the-art technologies that increase our patient’s quality of care and experience at our hospital.”
The dV5 builds on its predecessors, which have been used in more than 10 million procedures globally since its release in 2000. The da Vinci 5 system incorporates more than 150 enhancements designed to optimize surgical performance and patient safety.
Key features of the new system include:
- Enhanced accuracy and precision, offering surgeons unparalleled control
- First-of-its-kind sensing technology that delivers up to 43% less force on tissue
- 10,000 times more computing power than its predecessor
- Next-generation 3D display and image processing, enabling detailed visualization during procedures
With a commitment to shaping the future of bariatric, colorectal, complex urology and abdominal surgical care, Ascension Elmbrook is leading the way in surgical advancements.
Dr. Manfred Chaing, a surgeon with Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin, recently achieved a major milestone by performing his 2,000th robotic-assisted surgery at Ascension Elmbrook. As one of the most experienced robotic surgeons in Wisconsin, Dr. Chiang shared, “These advancements are a key reason why patients trust us for their care. Our surgeons and care teams look forward to utilizing the system’s best-in-class capabilities to improve the health of those in our community who need it most.”
As with all da Vinci robotic systems, the surgeon remains 100% in control during procedures. The latest generation of this technology, featuring enhanced precision, imaging, and ease of use, can be applied to a wide range of surgeries. Since introducing robotic surgery in 2009, nearly 8,000 robotic procedures have been performed at Ascension Elmbrook. The Brookfield hospital is also one of only two Intuitive robotic surgery bariatric teaching sites in Wisconsin, where surgeons from across the country come to learn advanced techniques.
Among the many conditions benefiting from these advancements is colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers, with a rising incidence in younger populations. Robotic surgery is offering significant advantages to patients requiring surgical treatment. "Minimally invasive surgery provides my patients with numerous benefits, including shorter procedure times, reduced hospital stays, and lower risks of complications and readmission," said Theresa K. Hayssen, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon at Ascension.
"With this new equipment, we can provide the highest quality of care using a minimally invasive approach. This should result in better outcomes for our patients, with less scarring, faster recovery times, and a quicker return to their daily lives," said Christopher Walsh, MD, urologist.
The technology, which received FDA approval in March 2024, allows surgeons to maintain full control of operations while benefiting from enhanced 3D vision and wrist articulation.
Ascension Elmbrook is an accredited Comprehensive Center from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)®, in partnership with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is one of only three sites in the state to be recognized by ACS as a National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). For more information about Ascension Elmbrook, visit the hospital’s website.
