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

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