The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) is breaking new ground in surgical technology as the first VA facility in the nation to evaluate a state-of-the-art Maestro robotic assistant, a system designed to enhance laparoscopic procedures by providing surgeons with greater precision and control.
Dr. Chensi Ouyang, a surgeon at the Orlando VA Medical Center, provided insight into how this new system bridges the gap between traditional laparoscopic surgery and fully robotic platforms like the da Vinci system, currently being used by the VA.
“The Maestro by Moon Surgical allows a surgeon to operate without a bedside assistant,” Dr. Ouyang explained. “With laparoscopic surgery, a surgeon typically relies on an assistant, or even two in gynecologic surgery, to stabilize the camera or retractors. The Maestro takes over that role, giving the surgeon the capability to operate with both hands, while the system holds the camera. This frees up personnel for other critical tasks.”
Unlike the bulkier da Vinci robotic system, which requires a designated operating space, this device is compact and mobile, making it easier to deploy across any operating room according to Dr. Ouyang. “This flexibility ensures that more Veterans can benefit from advanced surgical procedures regardless of facility size or staffing limitations.”
The Orlando VA deployed this technology in early January 2025, with 20 procedures already completed using the system. While patient outcomes remain under evaluation, the system is expected to maintain the same level of surgical excellence while streamlining efficiency.
“Ultimately, this is about improving access to care,” Dr. Ouyang emphasized. “There are VA sites that perform laparoscopic surgery but may be limited by staffing shortages. This technology can help mitigate those challenges by allowing surgeons to perform more procedures with fewer personnel.”
While the Maestro robotic system is currently in its trial phase at the Orlando VA, the technology’s future looks promising. AI-driven enhancements are in development, and ScoPilot, a cutting-edge robotic assistance system, was just FDA approved, enabling the Maestro’s system’s camera to intuitively track a surgeon’s movements in real time, further improving efficiency.
“For now, it’s an extra set of hands, but in the future, it could be a system that actively anticipates and adapts to a surgeon’s needs,” Dr. Ouyang said.
The trial period will last three months, after which the VA will assess the system’s cost-effectiveness and impact before determining whether to implement it permanently.
With this pioneering initiative, the Orlando VA reaffirms its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance Veteran healthcare, ensuring that those who served receive the best medical care available.
For Veterans and their families, this innovation marks another step toward a future where advanced technology improves surgical outcomes and expands Veteran access to quality care.
Hansraj Raghunandan is the Public Affairs Specialist for the Orlando VA Health Care System.
PHOTO: (L-R) Surgeon, Dr. Chensi Ouyang and Minimally Invasive GYN Surgery Fellow, Dr. Hannah Lewis.
