Cookeville Regional Medical Center Introduces the Region’s First Da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgical System

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is proud to announce the arrival of the Da Vinci 5 (DV5) robotic surgical system, the most advanced technology in robotic surgery. CRMC is one of only three hospitals in Tennessee—and the only one in the Upper Cumberland region—to offer this cutting-edge system, which enhances surgical precision and improves patient outcomes.

The DV5, developed by Intuitive, arrived at CRMC in October 2024 and marks a significant milestone for the hospital’s robotic surgery program. With the addition of the DV5, CRMC continues to lead the way as a regional destination for advanced healthcare, boasting three da Vinci robotic surgical systems, including the newest DV5 model.

“This is the future of healthcare,” said Buffy Key, CEO at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “We are thrilled to bring this technology to patients in our region. The new DV5 platform expands robotic surgery capabilities across multiple disciplines, ensuring that when people think of robotics in Tennessee, they think of Cookeville Regional.”

The Da Vinci 5 system introduces groundbreaking features, including “force feedback” technology, which restores a surgeon’s sense of touch during robotic procedures. This innovation allows surgeons to feel the tension of tissue, enabling gentler and safer surgeries. According to Intuitive, early data shows the system reduces force on tissue by up to 40%, promoting faster recovery times and better outcomes for patients.

CRMC surgeons now perform robotic-assisted procedures across a wide range of specialties, including:

• Thoracic surgery
• ENT (head and neck)
• Gynecology
• Urogynecology
• General surgery
• Urology
• Weight loss surgery

To give readers a visual into the Da Vinci 5 system, it consists of three key components:

• The patient cart, which holds the camera and surgical arms assisting the surgeon.
• The surgeon console, where the surgeon operates with enhanced precision and control.
• The vision cart, which manages system communications and provides real-time visuals of the procedure.

“As a general surgeon and chair of the CRMC Robotics Committee, I’ve seen firsthand how this technology transforms surgical care,” said Dr. Charles T. Huddleston. “Robotic surgery offers patients less pain, reduced blood loss, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. The addition of the DV5 system solidifies CRMC’s commitment to providing the best possible care to our community.”

With the introduction of the Da Vinci 5, CRMC is shaping the future of healthcare in the Upper Cumberland region, ensuring patients have access to the most advanced surgical technology close to home.

For more information about CRMC’s robotic surgery program, please visit HERE.