Two surgeons at the hospital in Ho Chi Minh City jointly performed radical surgery for prostate cancer and bladder reconstruction on the patient using two U.S.-made Da Vinci Xi robotic systems.

The Dual Console technique allows two surgeons to operate simultaneously, with each handling different parts of the procedure and able to transfer control when needed. This differs from conventional robotic surgery, in which only one surgeon controls the robot at a time. It also allows surgeons to work simultaneously on tumor removal, vascular management, nerve preservation, and organ reconstruction, potentially reducing operating time.

The Da Vinci Xi system provides high-resolution 3D imaging and is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more than 120 types of surgical procedures. It has been used in more than 20 million operations worldwide, according to the hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Vu Le Chuyen, MD, PhD, Director of Urology-Nephrology-Andrology Center at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said the Dual Console technique can reduce operating time, invasiveness, hospital stays, and the number of procedures required in some complex cases.

The approach could also allow specialists from different disciplines, including urology, gastrointestinal surgery, gynecology, and hepatobiliary surgery, to coordinate treatment during a single operation when appropriate.

Two doctors perform a surgery using two Da Vinci Xi robots and implementing the Dual Console technique at Tam Anh General Hospital in HCMC. Photo courtesy of the hospital

The first patient treated with the technique was Huynh Van Doan, 73, from An Giang. He had prostate cancer and several underlying medical conditions and had not responded to previous treatment.

Following a multidisciplinary consultation, Dr. Vu Le Chuyen worked with Dr. Le Phuc Lien, head of the Female Urology Unit at the hospital, to perform the procedure.

Dr. Chuyen used one console to control three robotic arms and remove the prostate and tumor, while Dr. Lien operated from the second console, coordinating tissue handling, vascular control, nerve preservation, and bladder reconstruction.

The operation took about 40 minutes, around one-third the duration of a standard procedure, according to the hospital. Doan was able to eat and walk the following day and was discharged three days later in stable condition.

After Doan, five patients with kidney and bladder cancer have been treated with this technique.

 

 

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

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

According to Intuitive Surgical, the U.S. manufacturer of the Da Vinci Xi, relatively few hospitals can perform Dual Console procedures because they require specialized equipment, experienced surgical teams, and standardized operating protocols.

A robot-assisted surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital starts at VND85 million (approximately US$3,000). The hospital said the cost is about one-tenth of that in the U.S. or Singapore and about half the cost in Thailand. Procedures are also covered by national health insurance where applicable under current regulations.

The hospital said the combination of robotic surgery and lower costs has attracted overseas Vietnamese and international patients from countries including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore...

About 20% of robotic procedures performed across the hospital group each year involve overseas Vietnamese or international patients, according to the hospital.

Foreign patients choose examination and treatment services at Tam Anh General Hospital Group for its modern facilities and streamlined procedures, helping them avoid the lengthy waiting times often experienced in their home countries. Photo courtesy of the hospital

Beyond robot-assisted surgery, the hospital has invested in other technologies for diagnosis and treatment, including the Modus V Synaptive system for neurological and spinal surgery, the Cuvis-Joint robot for joint replacement, and the Artis Pheno system for cardiac and vascular interventions.

Its diagnostic facilities also include AI-assisted laboratory and pathology systems, as well as AI-assisted CT and MRI systems, while its radiotherapy units use Versa HD systems for techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and real-time tumor tracking.

The hospital said its operating rooms and patient facilities are designed to European standards. Its medical and customer service teams provide multilingual support and assistance with administrative procedures for international patients.