Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, Emerging as a Hub for Cutting-Edge Robotic Surgery

Introduction of 4th Generation Equipment 'Da Vinci SP'... The Only Facility in the Region to Own 2 Units Including 'Da Vinci Xi'

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital announced on the 8th that it has introduced the state-of-the-art 4th generation robotic surgery equipment, the ‘Da Vinci SP,’ to enhance the level of cancer treatment.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital has become a robotic surgery hub by being the only institution in the Honam region to possess two units: the ‘Da Vinci SP’ and the ‘Da Vinci Xi.’ Patients can now break the prejudice that “treatment is only available in the metropolitan area” and receive specialized, customized treatment through Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, which has established a nationwide top-tier robotic surgery system.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital performing surgery with the Da Vinci SP robot.
[Photo by Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital]

The Da Vinci SP system is designed to allow one freely moving camera and three Da Vinci instruments to easily access narrow and deep tissues through a single 2.5 cm port.

With an added joint to the 3D camera, it provides an environment where the surgical site can be viewed freely, enabling excellent visibility and precise surgery in narrower and deeper spaces.

The small incision minimizes scarring, resulting in high cosmetic satisfaction. It also shortens surgery and recovery times, reduces complications, and allows for a faster return to daily life.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital plans to expand high-difficulty robotic surgeries and increase patient satisfaction through customized treatment by operating the ‘Da Vinci SP’ alongside the proven safe and effective ‘Da Vinci Xi.’

Additionally, the hospital plans to expand the application of robotic surgery to various departments, including Urology?which achieved 2,000 cases of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer using laparoscopy and robotics in 2021?Endocrine Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital first introduced the surgical robot ‘Da Vinci S’ in 2009, the first in Gwangju and Jeonnam, and upgraded to the state-of-the-art ‘Da Vinci Xi’ model in 2019.

The number of robotic surgeries has increased annually, reaching 150 cases in 2020, 302 cases in 2021, and 339 cases in 2022. In 2023, a total of 357 robotic surgeries were performed.

Notably, Professor Kim Changhyun of the Colorectal Surgery Department successfully completed the first ‘Da Vinci SP’ surgery on December 28 last year, demonstrating the medical staff’s robotic surgery capabilities.

Professor Kim Changhyun emphasized, “Robotic surgery has already been proven to have advantages such as faster postoperative recovery and minimized pain compared to open surgery. It also shows a lower rate of postoperative complications. Especially in the case of the Da Vinci SP, the number of incisions can be reduced to one or two, which means less physical change after surgery, making it a significantly superior advantage.”

Hospital Director Jeong Yongyeon stated, “The introduction of the Da Vinci SP not only changes the perception that robotic surgery is concentrated only in the metropolitan area but also marks an important turning point in raising the level of regional medical care. The medical staff at Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital are actively performing cancer treatments with high robotic surgery proficiency, and patient demand is steadily increasing. We will do our best to ensure that patients receive the best robotic surgery in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.