SAN ANTONIO -- Despite the appearance of what looks like playing an interactive video game, a local surgeon has been performing surgeries with a robot.

Dr. Dipen Parekh, a urologic oncologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, said he usually performs surgeries in his socks.

"It is very different," he said. "There's no tactile feedback, so you really need to know what you're doing."

Using joysticks and foot pedals to control the robot, Parekh performs surgeries that he said are aided by having a clearer view of his patient.

"The instruments that we use have seven degrees of freedom and movement, so you can perform complex suturing and other manuevers," said Parekh.

The doctor said using the robot cuts down on bleeding and scarring. The UTHSC just receieved a $2 million donation to create an endowed chair that will help support the work.