Confluence Health introduces Advanced Da Vinci 5 surgical robot in Wenatchee

WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has begun using the new da Vinci 5 surgical system at its Central Campus hospital, expanding its capabilities for minimally invasive procedures in North Central Washington. The device joins the existing da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which reached its 2,000th procedure last year.

“Confluence Health is one of the first to begin using the new da Vinci 5 robotic platform in its surgeries, reinforcing our commitment to being at the forefront of healthcare technology to give better outcomes to our patients, right here in North Central Washington,” said Dr. Catherine Straub, general surgeon at Confluence Health.

The da Vinci 5 offers backward compatibility with instruments from the Xi model, as well as new features such as Force Feedback, which allows surgeons to feel applied pressure in real time to improve precision and reduce tissue trauma. It also includes enhanced 3D vision, improved ergonomics, and telepresence capabilities for real-time collaboration with surgeons elsewhere.

With 15 surgeons trained on the Xi and now training on the da Vinci 5, Confluence Health expects to increase surgical capacity. The first procedure using the new system — a radical prostatectomy — was performed July 28 by urologist Dr. Travis Clark.

“This is representative of Confluence Health’s ongoing commitment to providing the best in healthcare to our community here at home,” Straub said. “Care close to your support network matters and, with this new addition, Confluence Health is using technology rivaling that of places like Seattle and Spokane.”