Dignity Health Mercy General Hospital Performs Sacramento’s First Robotic Whipple Procedure for Pancreatic Cancer

Sacramento, July 29, 2025 – Dignity Health Mercy General Hospital today announced the successful completion of Sacramento’s first robotic-assisted Whipple procedure using the da Vinci Surgical System, marking a major advancement in minimally invasive cancer surgery. The complex operation was performed on July 11 by Dr. Smit Singla, surgical oncologist, with Dr. Subhash Patil, assisting as part of the lead surgical team. 

The Whipple procedure, also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is one of the most intricate operations in abdominal surgery, often used to treat cancers of the pancreas, bile duct, or small intestine. The robotic-assisted version is performed through small incisions using advanced robotic technology that allows for greater precision, improved visibility, and more delicate tissue handling than traditional surgery.

“This is an important advancement for patients in our region,” said Dr. Singla. “Robotic-assisted Whipple procedures can reduce blood loss, shorten recovery time, and minimize post-operative complications. It means our patients can begin healing and potentially resume cancer treatment sooner, and with less physical toll.”

Robotic Whipple procedures remain extremely rare, with fewer than 400 reported across the U.S. from 2004-2017, according to the National Cancer Database. Mercy General Hospital joins a small number of high-volume centers nationwide offering this option, and is only the second hospital in Northern California known to successfully perform this procedure. 

“We are proud to be the first hospital in the Sacramento region to offer this highly advanced surgical technique,” said Steven Foster, President and CEO of Mercy General Hospital. “This achievement builds on our 100-year legacy of providing medical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care to the community.”

The Whipple procedure involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, bile duct, gallbladder, and lymph nodes. The surgeon then reconstructs the digestive tract to ensure food can be properly digested. 

“This kind of progress is only possible with meticulous planning and a deeply skilled team,” added Dr. Singla. “We’re grateful to our colleagues and support staff who made this a success and most importantly, we’re encouraged by how well our first patient is doing.”

Mercy General Hospital continues to expand its surgical oncology program and bring world-class care to the Greater Sacramento region. The Whipple procedure is part of a broader commitment to equity, access, and cutting-edge innovation in cancer treatment.

For more information about surgical oncology services at Dignity Health, visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/sacramento/services/cancer-care. 

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About Dignity Health California 

Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. 

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.