Montage Health announces the arrival of next-generation robotic surgery systems.

Three new robotic surgical systems have arrived to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, for what is professed by parent company Montage Health to be the largest robot-assisted surgery program on the Central Coast.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Montage Health leaders, along with physicians, donors and others gathered to celebrate the arrival of the three da Vinci 5 surgical systems, which are replacing two earlier versions. The purchases were made possible by donations through the Montage Health Foundation.

"We're celebrating an important step in surgical care at Montage Health," said Dr. Mike McDermott, president and CEO of Montage Health, in a press release. "We're increasing our capacity, investing in our surgical teams and continuing to build the kind of care our community should be able to receive close to home."

The systems provide surgeons with enhanced tools for complicated procedures across multiple specialties, including thoracic, gynecology, urology, general surgery and bariatric surgery. Montage Health is the only health care provider on the Central Coast offering robot-assisted thoracic surgery.

The da Vinci 5 platform includes more than 150 design enhancements over an earlier version, including improved surgeon ergonomics, enhanced 3-D imaging, expanding computing power, advanced data capabilities and force feedback technology that allows surgeons to sense subtle pressure and tension on tissue during procedures.

"What I love about robot-assisted surgery is how much it expands what I'm able to see and do," said Dr. Harsha Mittakanti, a Montage Medical Group urologist and Montage Health's medical director of robot-assisted surgery. "That level of visualization and control gives me an extra layer of support during complex procedures."

One of the benefits of robot-assisted surgery is that surgeons can perform many procedures through smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery. It can mean less pain and scarring for patients, plus less blood loss, lower risk of infection and faster recovery.

Next spring, Montage Health plans on adding the Ion robot-assisted bronchoscopy system. It's designed to help physicians navigate to difficult-to-reach areas of the lung, which could lead to earlier diagnosis of lung cancer.