Domenico Savatta, MD FACS

01/29/2026

Proud moment for patient safety.
About 8 years ago, I developed the Savatta-style lateral positioner to help make lateral (retroperitoneal) surgery safer and more stable for patients—especially during longer cases where pressure points can become a real risk.
I’m very happy to see these positioning strategies being used more widely, and even happier to see outcomes data supporting the benefit. A recent Urology Practice quality-improvement paper, “Under Pressure,” reported that after implementing improved lateral positioning support (including The Pink Pad system), the team saw:
✅ Fewer hospital-acquired pressure injuries (4.6% → 1%)
✅ No elevated CK events (11.8% → 0)
✅ No clinical rhabdomyolysis (2.6% → 0)
It’s a good reminder that the “little” things in the OR—like positioning—can make a huge difference for patients.

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to present a retrospective quality improvement analysis assessing the incidence and factors associated with elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, clinical rhabdomyolysis, and hospital-acquired pressure injuries (...

11/15/2025

Taking My Robotic Skills to West Virginia

I just finished my first locum tenens assignment in Charleston, West Virginia, and it was a truly great experience. I performed many stone cases and a robotic nephrectomy on the da Vinci V with an incredible PA, Gino. I also handled an emergent bladder repair and worked alongside wonderful staff, including nurse practitioner Amanda, who was fantastic.

The team welcomed me right away, and I even made an AI song for Eric, one of the great nurses I met there. Grateful for the opportunity, the teamwork, and the chance to bring advanced urologic care to a new community.

Charleston treated me really well, and I’m thankful for everyone who made the experience memorable.

04/19/2025

Exciting news in medicine! A new antibiotic has been developed—something rare these days. This new treatment shows promise in fighting various infections, including gonorrhea, a common and challenging-to-treat STD. Great to see progress against antibiotic resistance!

Researchers say gepotidacin could be delivered via a pill and help combat strains resistant to standard treatment

04/14/2025

The stapler addition to single port surgery will make it a much more versatile robot and should increase adoption and use.

Intuitive wins FDA clearance for single-port robotic surgery stapler https://www.medtechdive.com/news/intuitive-fda-clearance-single-port-surgery-stapler/745106/ via

CFO Jamie Samath said in January that the stapler clearance would trigger the start of “broad commercial efforts” for the single-port system.

04/04/2025

another study, this one from the UK, that shows more detection of significant prostate cancer and less infections with transperineal prostate biopsy

Among biopsy-naive individuals being investigated for possible prostate cancer, biopsy with LATP led to greater detection of GGG 2 or higher disease compared with TRUS. These findings will help to inform patients, clinicians, clinical guidelines, and policy makers regarding the important trade-offs....