St. David's surgeon first in world to perform surgery using newest robotic technology

"None of the robotic platforms or instruments have minds of their own," Payne said. "They are all operated by the surgeon, so if a mistake is made, it is the surgeon's mistake, not the robot. They do have functions built in to help the surgeons be more confident in their ability to use the instrument."

Robotic platforms are used to assist in procedures for laparoscopies, bariatric surgeries and some benign gynecological procedures as well as other complex procedures for cancers in lungs, gastrointestinal systems and female reproductive tracts, he said.

The Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery opened its headquarters at St. David's North Austin Medical Center opened in 2011. Payne said the institute receives data from robotic surgery cases from about 100 hospitals throughout the U.S. to analyze data and find better and more efficient ways to perform robotic surgeries.

"We've worked really hard over the last three years since our inception to become one of the automatic places that the robotic companies think of to rollout new products after FDA approval," he said. "I think we've done a good job of establishing ourselves as that go-to place they think [of to come] to with new advancements in robotic platforms."

For more information, visit the website at www.texasrobotic.com.