Robotic Oncology Center
 
 

Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery

UC Irvine Health digestive disease specialists are skilled in minimally invasive robot-assisted procedures for several gastrointestinal conditions, including hiatal hernias, esophageal reflux, achalasia (a disorder of the muscle at the end of the esophagus) and some conditions that require gallbladder removal. Specific conditions include:


The UC Irvine Health Robotic Oncology Center uses the latest robotic surgical techniques to treat cancer. It is one of a few multidisciplinary robotic oncology centers in the United States and the first of its kind in the Orange County. Through the center at Orange County's only university hospital, patients have access to the expertise and care provided by our highly skilled team of surgeons, nurses and technicians who specialize in using the da Vinci Surgical System®. 

For appointments, please call 877-399-IROC (877-399-4762).

Clinical Team

Dr. David K. Imagawa David K. Imagawa, MD, PhD
Surgeon


Dr. Imagawa is one of the leading experts in minimally invasive pancreatic surgery. His current clinical interests include extending robot-assisted techniques into liver and pancreas surgery. Imagawa's research has been published in numerous scientific journals and his interests include pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, bile duct cancer and islet cell transplantation. In addition, he is a two-time John E. Connolly Award recipient, which is presented annually by the surgery residents to an outstanding professor of surgery.

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Dr. Ninh T. Nguyen Ninh T. Nguyen, MD
Gastric/esophageal surgeon


Dr. Nguyen is a specialist in surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract. He is nationally recognized in minimally invasive techniques including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y bariatric surgeries, staging of esophageal cancer, esophagectomy, fundoplication, resection of gastric stromal tumors and photodynamic therapy. Nguyen and his colleagues published the first study directly comparing traditional open gastric bypass surgery with newer laparoscopic techniques. He has experience with robot-assisted cholecystectomy, gastric bypass and gastric banding. He has performed more than 50 robotic-assisted procedures.

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Dr. Ninh T. Nguyen Brian R. Smith, MD, FACS
Gastrointestinal surgeon

Dr. Smith specializes in laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y bariatric surgeries, staging of esophageal cancer, esophagectomy, fundoplication, resection of gastric stromal tumors, pancreatectomy, splenectomy, gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, adrenalectomy and Heller myotomy for achalasia. He also treats all types of gastrointestinal oncology, including liver, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder and pancreatic tumors. Smith was named a 2011 Health Policy Scholar by the American College of Surgeons and also serves as chief of general surgery at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System.

Learn more about Dr. Smith ›