Sydney hospital celebrates 200+ robotic surgeries

Prince of Wales Private Hospital is celebrating more than 200 robotic procedures that have been performed since the launch of its multidisciplinary robotics program in October 2018.

Prince of Wales Private Hospital General Manager Robert Cusack said the program has been more successful than anticipated.

“We were told that 100 robotic cases in our first year would be a good outcome,” he said. “So, to have surpassed the 200 mark is really above and beyond our best-case expectations.”

The Randwick-based hospital has performed robot-assisted cases across general, urology, cardiothoracic, colorectal and gynaecology surgical specialties since the arrival of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System by Device Technologies.

Colorectal and General Surgeon Dr Shing Wong performed the hospital’s first robotics case in 2018 using the da Vinci System and is one of the hospital’s most experienced robotic surgeons. Bowel resections for malignant and benign diseases are among his most common robotic surgical cases.

“The robot is especially helpful when operating on patients with high BMI and dense adhesions,” Dr Wong said.

“It provides magnified three-dimensional vision, an advanced set of instruments and a level of precision not previously available using minimally invasive methods.

“Prince of Wales Private Hospital has made the robot accessible to a range of surgeons and specialties, which results in improved outcomes for more patients,” Dr Wong said.

Among the beneficiaries of the multidisciplinary program approach are patients under cardiothoracic surgeons Dr Levi Bassin and Dr Hugh Wolfenden, who perform a range of surgeries together, including minimal access coronary surgeries and mitral valve repairs.

“Whilst the safety profile of robotic is similar to open surgery to date, the sternal bone isn’t cut, which reduces bleeding, pain and the prospect of infection,” Dr Wolfenden said.

“The three arms of the robot are essentially like an extension of the surgeon’s arms and hands — it allows complete dexterity through tiny incisions.”

Dr Bassin explained that robotic surgery is a game changer for patient recovery times. “Most robotic patients return to virtually full capacity within four weeks,” he said. “Open surgery, however, can take six weeks to get back to work for a sedentary job or three months for a physically demanding occupation.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Master Video