The da Vinci® Surgical System

Backus is the only hospital in eastern Connecticut offering patients the option of having minimally-invasive surgery using the latest da Vinci® robotic technology from Intuitive Surgical.

Dr. Casillas with da Vinci machineDr. Sergio Casillas brings maximum precision to minimally invasive surgery using the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.


The da Vinci Xi robot is used by specially-trained Backus surgeons for procedures in:

  • Bariatrics
    Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures.
  • Colorectal care
    Patients with diverticulitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and colon or rectal cancer.
  • General surgery
    Hernia repair, gall bladder removal, pancreatic cancer or acid reflux.
  • Gynecology
    Hysterectomy
    , endometriosis resection and fibroid removal or to remedy pelvic prolapse.
  • Thoracics
    A lobectomy for lung cancer.
  • Urology
    Procedures for prostate, kidney or bladder cancers, or to address kidney disorders or urinary blockages.

The da Vinci technology — more versatile, with greater mobility and maneuverability than previous generations — enhances your surgeon’s ability to help you. The robotic-assisted surgical device essentially translates hand motions directed by your surgeon at a control console.

Your surgeon remains in control at all times, with a three-dimensional, high-definition view inside your body and wristed instruments that bend and rotate far better than the human hand. The difference? Unlike a human hand, the da Vinci Xi can rotate a surgical instrument a remarkable 540 degrees.

The enhanced vision, precision and control during minimally-invasive surgery offers you the following benefits:

  • Lower complication rate.
  • Shorter hospital stay and faster overall recovery.
  • Less blood loss and less potential for a transfusion.
  • Lower hospital readmission rate.

Meet our Robotic Surgery Specialists:

Name Specialties Location
Atul Palkar, MD, FACP Atul Palkar, MD, FACP 860.886.1862
  • Pulmonary Disease
  • Norwich
Elizabeth Ann Richardson, DO Elizabeth Ann Richardson, DO 860.972.4262
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hartford
  • Bloomfield
  • Hartford
  • Bridgeport
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Shahar Glomski, MD Shahar Glomski, MD 203.694.8402
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Meriden
Ahmed Aziz Chaudhary, MD Ahmed Aziz Chaudhary, MD 860.892.2777
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Norwich
Erica Kimberly Nicasio, MD Erica Kimberly Nicasio, MD 860.972.2884
  • Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Hartford
Walter James Kilpatrick, DO Walter James Kilpatrick, DO 860.889.8331
  • Psychiatry
  • Norwich
Jesse Serrins, DO Jesse Serrins, DO 860.224.5011
  • Infectious Disease
  • New Britain
Hossain Mohammad Ekhlas, MD Hossain Mohammad Ekhlas, MD 860.383.4039
  • Family Medicine
  • Norwich
Katherine Elizabeth Whalen, MD Katherine Elizabeth Whalen, MD 860.886.0161
  • Ophthalmology
  • Norwich
Brian S. Wong Won, MD Brian S. Wong Won, MD 860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Hartford
  • Plainville
  • Cheshire
  • Farmington
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Sumeet Sanjeev Pawar, MD Sumeet Sanjeev Pawar, MD
4.9 /5
295 surveys
860.572.5400
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Mystic
  • Westerly
  • Niantic
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Anant Agarwalla, MD Anant Agarwalla, MD 203.886.0036
  • Gastroenterology
  • Wallingford
Rajvi Patel, MD Rajvi Patel, MD
4.9 /5
156 surveys
860.972.4183
  • Hematology / Oncology
  • Hartford
  • Hartford
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Megan Gallagher, MD Megan Gallagher, MD 860.972.9300
  • Infectious Disease
  • Hartford
Darrick K. Li, MD Darrick K. Li, MD 860.442.0290
  • Gastroenterology
  • New London
Cassidy Alexandre, MD Cassidy Alexandre, MD 860.859.9061
  • Gastroenterology
  • Norwich
Michael J. Talarico, MD Michael J. Talarico, MD 203.694.8402
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Meriden
Talal A. Kaiser, MD Talal A. Kaiser, MD 860.456.7279
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Willimantic
  • Norwich
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Carol G. Halasan, MD Carol G. Halasan, MD 860.224.5011
  • Infectious Disease
  • New Britain
Kathryn Rankin Wagner, MD Kathryn Rankin Wagner, MD 203.949.2700
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Norwich
Karan Shaileshkumar Patel, MD Karan Shaileshkumar Patel, MD 860.889.7345
  • Spine Surgery
  • North Franklin
Dean David George, MD, FAAD Dean David George, MD, FAAD
4.8 /5
556 surveys
860.696.3350
  • Dermatology
  • Hartford
  • Fairfield
  • Avon
  • Bridgeport
  • Manchester
  • Norwich
  • Plainville
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Matthew L. Listo, MD Matthew L. Listo, MD 860.827.4161
  • Radiation Oncology
  • New Britain
Zoheir Khan, MD Zoheir Khan, MD 203.694.5444
  • Infectious Disease
  • Meriden
Chikezie Alvarez, MD Chikezie Alvarez, MD 860.889.9180
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Norwich

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