Vietnam hospital becomes first to use two Da Vinci Xi robots for cancer surgery

In Ho Chi Minh City, a hospital became the first to employ two Da Vinci Xi robotic systems for cancer surgery. Two surgeons, Assoc. Prof. Vu Le Chuyen and Dr. Le Phuc Lien, jointly performed a radical prostatectomy and bladder reconstruction on a patient using this advanced technology. The Dual Console technique enabled simultaneous operation by both surgeons, each controlling different aspects of the procedure.

This method contrasts with traditional robotic surgery, which involves a single surgeon controlling the robot. The Dual Console system allows for simultaneous tumor removal, vascular management, nerve preservation, and organ reconstruction, potentially reducing operating time. The Da Vinci Xi system offers high-resolution 3D imaging and has been cleared by the U.S. FDA for over 120 surgical procedures, with more than 20 million operations performed worldwide.

The first patient treated with the Dual Console technique was 73-year-old Huynh Van Doan, who had prostate cancer and several underlying medical conditions. The operation took around 40 minutes, roughly one-third of a standard procedure, and allowed Doan to eat and walk the following day, being discharged three days later in stable condition.

Since Doan's surgery, five additional patients with kidney and bladder cancer have undergone the procedure. Intuitive Surgical, the U.S. manufacturer of the Da Vinci Xi, notes that few hospitals can perform Dual Console procedures due to the need for specialized equipment, experienced teams, and standardized protocols. The hospital's robotic surgery costs about one-tenth of those in the U.S. or Singapore and half the cost in Thailand, with insurance coverage available under current regulations.

The hospital's use of robotic surgery and lower costs has attracted overseas Vietnamese and international patients from various countries. The hospital also invests in other advanced technologies for diagnosis and treatment.