Vietnamese doctors introduce robotic surgery overseas

The trip took place at the invitation of the Manila-based Philippine General Hospital, one of the biggest of its kind in the country with 1,500 beds. The robotic surgeries were conducted on October 24 for two obese patients weighing over 130 kg each.

Surgery that uses robots is less invasive and uses smaller incisions than normal surgical methods. It reduces pain, bleeding, infections and the length of hospital stay.

The next day, the visiting Vietnamese doctors also introduced advanced robotic operating skills targeting the digestive system.

Binh Dan Hospital is a pioneer for robotic operations for adults in Vietnam. Carrying out more than 800 robot-assisted surgeries over the past three years, it is gradually turning itself into a training centre for the technology in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.