CHRISTUS Children’s unveils new minimally invasive surgery suites with advanced technology

CHRISTUS Children’s unveiled today its new, fully –integrated, minimally invasive surgery suites equipped with the latest technology, giving pediatric patients access to the highest level of care.

The two high-tech, innovative suites are outfitted with SLD Technology’s AirFRAME and Indigo-Clean system, making them the first of their kind in Texas.

AirFRAME is a fully integrated modular ceiling system containing Zonal Pressure Control to reduce contamination. The ceiling system works with the Indigo-Clean system to disinfect the environment automatically and continuously by showing safe and visible light that kills bacteria in the air and on hard and soft surfaces. These two systems work together to keep the suites sterile and help avoid any infections or contamination.

“Our patients will benefit from the enhanced safety profiles of the equipment and video systems,” said Dr. Katherine Barsness, chair of CHRISTUS Children’s pediatric surgery department. “Minimally invasive surgery techniques are considered the gold standard of care for a variety of pediatric surgical needs, and we are proud to possess the tools we need to provide that quality of care.”

The suites also include the da Vinci Xi Surgical System along with the use of 4K technology, which will allow for very few, tiny incisions, fully upgraded visualization tools and improvements in surgical efficiency and safety.

Procedures in these suites will start in the next couple of weeks and can accommodate all diagnostic and laparoscopy general surgery procedures for the abdomen, esophagus, bariatrics, gallbladder and appendix, among others.

The da Vinci Xi is a robotic arm that surgeons completely control, translating their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments used during various minimally invasive procedures. The system’s immersive vision system provides surgeons with a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands throughout the surgery.

The SWBC Foundation graciously donated $2.75 million for the acquisition of the da Vinci Xi surgical system for CHRISTUS Children’s. This gift is SWBC’s most significant donation in its history.

“The da Vinci Xi is the first of its kind in San Antonio for pediatric uses,” said Dr. Ann O’Connor, pediatric surgeon, and medical director for the adolescent metabolic bariatric surgery program at CHRISTUS Children’s. “The device allows our pediatric patients to undergo their procedures with less recovery time and provides them with optimal results. Our patients deserve the most innovative and best health care, and we are proud to be able to provide that to them.”

The new suites are made possible by local philanthropist Harvey E. Najim. He provided CHRISTUS Children’s with a $5 million gift to fund the Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Surgical Unit.

“We are incredibly grateful to our amazing donors for their generous support of our rapidly growing programs,” said Cris Daskevich, CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s. “The investment in our pediatric surgical program includes these state-of-the-art surgical suites and the addition of renowned pediatric surgeons. We want to assure the families and children of our community that their health care is our number one priority, and they can stay here, at home, for their health care needs. As the city’s only freestanding children’s hospital, we will continue to grow our programs to support the needs of children, women and families for years to come.”