Milestone in robot-assisted surgeries

Adelyn Lau

Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan successfully completed about 3,850 robot-assisted surgeries as of December last year.

These procedures include removals of the prostate, colon, or parts of the thyroid gland.

Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital pioneered robotic surgery by establishing the world's first robotic endo-lap operating room in 2009.

In 2017, it enhanced its capabilities by introducing an advanced robotic-assisted surgery system, which has since been applied across various specialties.

Currently, the three specialties that utilize robotic-assisted surgery the most are urology, hepatobiliary and pancreatic, and endocrinology.

Jeffrey Yu Man-hin, the hospital's associate surgery consultant, said robotic-assisted surgery features multi-axial movements of robotic arms that precisely replicate the wrist's rotation and gripping actions, extending beyond the natural range of human motion for complex procedures.

The technology integrates advanced systems such as fluorescence imaging to illuminate crucial blood vessels, three-dimensional modeling for accurate surgical planning, and intraoperative ultrasound for real-time visualization of the surgical area and surrounding organs, he added.

"These advancements help reduce the risk of complications and minimize blood loss during surgery," he said.

Robotic-assisted surgeries also offer better aesthetic outcomes, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays and recovery times compared to conventional surgery.

Yu said the robotic system enhances learning efficiency for medical professionals.

Looking ahead, the team aims to further advance the technology by adopting innovations such as single-port robotic arms.

"This would enable surgeries to be performed through a single incision, or even with no visible scarring, making it applicable to ear, nose, and throat, breast, and oral surgeries," said James Li Cheuk-man, chief of service in surgery.