Dr. Desiree Sanchez Performs First Urology Surgery in Southern California Using Advanced Robot (DV5)

Breaking new ground in robotic surgery

Desiree Sanchez, MD, Urology and Robotic Surgery, is the first surgeon in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties to perform urology surgery using the new da Vinci 5 Surgical System (DV5) from Intuitive. This cutting-edge robotic platform enhances surgical precision, ensuring improved outcomes for patients under the care of skilled surgeons like Dr. Sanchez.

The milestone surgery was performed at Adventist Health Simi Valley. The patient had a large, high-risk cancer of the kidney - referred to as Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma. Dr. Sanchez successfully performed a robotic nephroureterectomy, a complex surgical procedure to remove the affected kidney and ureter.

“This patient’s condition required precision with no room for error,” said Dr. Sanchez. “The advanced DV5 robotic system allows for unparalleled control and gives me tactile feedback, even in the smallest, most delicate spaces, which is critical for surgeries like this.”

Advanced technology for smoother recoveries

Adventist Health Simi Valley remains one of the few hospitals in the country equipped with the DV5 robotic platform. With this advanced technology, Dr. Sanchez completed the surgery in just two and a half hours.

“The DV5 enables me to offer the most cutting-edge minimally invasive surgeries, resulting in better outcomes and smoother recoveries for patients,” Dr. Sanchez explained.

A positive outcome

The patient was able to go home just one day after surgery and met with Dr. Sanchez in her clinic 2 weeks later. During this visit, she shared the good news: the pathology results showed negative margins, meaning all cancerous cells were successfully removed.

“This was a significant outcome for a challenging case,” said Dr. Sanchez. “It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.”

Celebrating excellence

Dr. Sanchez and the entire OR team exemplify the mission of Adventist Health to provide innovative, compassionate care. Their expertise and dedication not only make a difference for individual patients but also elevate the level of healthcare available in Southern California.