Tennessee Oncology Offers New Robotic Surgery Using the Most Advanced Medtech to Treat Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Mariana Chavez Now Offering Robotic Whipple Procedure to Appropriate Patients

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee Oncology and Ascension Saint Thomas are now offering the Robotic Whipple procedure, which is a minimally invasive procedure to treat pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas.

Dr. Mariana Chavez, who is a surgeon with The Surgical Clinic, a division of Tennessee Oncology, and specializes in hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery, is performing the procedure at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown and Tristar Centennial Medical Center.

The Whipple procedure is a complex surgery in which the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, called the duodenum, the gallbladder, and sometimes part of the stomach, are removed, which is followed by reconstruction so the patient's digestive system functions.

During an Open Whipple surgery, the surgeon makes a large abdominal incision to directly access and remove the pancreas head, duodenum, gallbladder, and part of the stomach. Using the Robotic platform, the surgeon makes small incisions and controls robotic instruments to perform the same complex procedure with enhanced precision, which reducing blood loss, pain, scarring, and the chance of a future hernia. Patients have a faster recovery time and are even able to walk soon after the procedure. The procedure takes approximately six hours.

Dr. Chavez stresses that the procedure might not be for all patients. The Robotic approach is a tool that can help surgeons conduct the procedure with a faster recovery time. In some situations, Dr. Chavez says, the open procedure is the medically appropriate route for a successful surgery.

At both Midtown and Centennial hospitals, Dr. Chavez is utilizing the most advanced technology to perform the Robotic Whipple. She uses the da Vinci 5 Surgical System, which is Intuitive Surgical's fifth generation, multiport robotic platform. The system features  groundbreaking Force Feedback technology, which provides surgeons with a tactile sense of the forces on tissue for enhanced precision and control. It offers improved ergonomics, a more immersive 3D vision system, greater computing power for advanced data capabilities, and over 150 enhancements compared to previous models.

About Tennessee Oncology:
Tennessee Oncology, which treats nearly half the cancer patients in the Volunteer State, is one of the nation's largest community-based cancer care practices, and is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology's mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. For more information, visit www.tnoncology.com.

About Ascension Saint Thomas
Ascension Saint Thomas is a leading health care system with a 125-year history of providing care to the community, and is the only faith-based, nonprofit health system in Middle Tennessee. The system includes 18 hospitals and 320 sites of care across a 45-county area in Tennessee, including a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas and its partner organizations employ more than 13,000 dedicated associates who care for millions of patients each year. Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation's largest faith-based healthcare organizations committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit ascension.org.

SOURCE Tennessee Oncology