da Vinci Robotic Surgery Coming to Maverick County at Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, Expanding Advanced Surgical Care
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County residents will soon have access to advanced robotic-assisted surgery closer to home as the Maverick County Hospital District prepares to introduce the da Vinci Robotic Surgery Program to the community.
MCHD Chief Executive Officer Nestor Bonilla informed the community that the Hospital District, alongside Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, is working to expand access to robotic-assisted surgical procedures locally.
The new program will involve Dr. Marisa Christinia and Dr. Justine Betzu and is expected to include gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, complex general surgery and other procedures that can be performed using the da Vinci surgical system.
But what exactly is da Vinci robotic surgery, and what does it mean for patients in Maverick County?
Despite its name, the robot does not perform surgery on its own.
The da Vinci system is a sophisticated surgical platform controlled by a trained surgeon. The surgeon operates from a console and controls specialized instruments inside the patient’s body.
The system translates the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller and highly precise movements of the surgical instruments.
The technology also provides surgeons with a highly magnified three-dimensional view of the surgical area, allowing them to see and work within confined areas of the body with greater precision.
Because the instruments can move in ways that provide greater flexibility than traditional surgical instruments, the system can assist surgeons in performing certain complicated procedures through relatively small incisions.
For patients, robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery may mean smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss and potentially shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times when compared with traditional open surgery.
The benefits and risks, however, vary depending on the procedure and individual patient.
The arrival of robotic surgery represents another significant advancement in the medical services available in Maverick County.
For years, local families have often faced the possibility of traveling to San Antonio or other larger communities for specialized medical care and certain surgical procedures.
Expanding the availability of advanced surgical technology locally could allow more patients to receive treatment near their families, physicians and support networks while reducing the financial and logistical burden associated with traveling outside the community for care.
The program also represents increased collaboration between the Maverick County Hospital District and Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center in bringing additional healthcare capabilities to the region.
Robotic surgery is not appropriate for every patient or every procedure. Physicians determine whether robotic-assisted, traditional minimally invasive or open surgery is the appropriate approach based on a patient’s condition and medical circumstances.
MCHD stated that patients interested in learning whether they may qualify for one of the procedures should speak with their primary care provider about a referral or contact the Hospital District for an appointment.
The Maverick County Hospital District is located at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass and can be reached at (830) 757-4900.
With the introduction of the da Vinci Robotic Surgery Program, another level of modern surgical technology will soon be available in Maverick County, giving local physicians additional tools to treat patients while allowing more residents to receive advanced care closer to home.
