Dr. Kyle Eldredge and Dr. Michael Shockley from Advanced Surgical Physicians in Wellington recently attended Intuitive Connect 2026 in Austin, Texas.
Held from April 17 to April 19, this premier global forum gathered the world’s leading surgeons to explore the future of minimally invasive surgery and the official integration of the da Vinci 5 (dV5) robotic surgical system.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Connect to Purpose,” focused on the expanding ecosystem of AI, digital analytics and enhanced surgical precision.
For Shockley, the conference provided intensive insight into how these advancements directly translate to improved outcomes for bariatric patients in South Florida. The dV5’s smart instrumentation, which captures more than 1,000 data points per second, and its integrated digital ecosystem, are designed to streamline operating room workflows and increase surgeon autonomy.
“Attending Intuitive Connect 2026 allows us to stay at the absolute forefront of surgical evolution,” Shockley said. “In the realm of bariatric surgery, the precision offered by robotic platforms is a game changer. Whether we are performing a gastric bypass, which requires incredibly precise stapling and reconstruction of the stomach and intestines, or a sleeve gastrectomy, the dV5 enhances our ability to operate with accuracy.”
Throughout the three-day event, Eldredge and Shockley participated in technical presentations and training simulations via SimNow, while exploring the My Intuitive app for advanced surgical analytics.
While the dV5 is expanding into cardiac and hepatobiliary specialties, its impact on acute care and weight-loss surgery remains a primary focus for the Wellington-based practice.
By integrating the lessons and technological breakthroughs from Intuitive Connect 2026, Advanced Surgical Physicians continues to provide the Wellington community with access to world-class, minimally invasive surgical options that prioritize faster recovery times and superior clinical results.
