Ms. Thanh, 57, recently underwent a hysterectomy at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, marking the hospital's first gynecological procedure using the advanced Da Vinci Xi robotic system. The surgery was performed to prevent cancer stemming from HPV-related precancerous lesions. This innovative robotic method, previously utilized in urology, thoracic, and gastroenterology departments, now expands its application to gynecology.

Three years prior, Ms. Thanh was diagnosed with cervical lesions and tested positive for 12 HPV types. Following a cervical conization, pathology results revealed precancerous lesions (CIN 3) close to the surgical margin. To prevent further progression, the patient opted for a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Doctor Nguyen Ba My Nhi, director of the obstetrics and gynecology center at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, led the surgical team for this procedure.

Doctor My Nhi (right) consults with two assistant surgeons before the operation. Photo: Tue Diem

The Da Vinci Xi robot arm boasts 540-degree rotation, surpassing the flexibility of a human wrist. Doctor Nhi explained, "This function allows surgeons' hands to directly enter the patient's abdomen, enabling precise grasping and manipulation in narrow, deep pelvic areas without damaging healthy tissue. It offers higher accuracy compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery."

From a control console, doctor Nhi guided the robot arms to meticulously dissect, cut, suture, and manage bleeding from small vessels. A 3D camera system, magnifying images 15 times, provided a clear view of tissue structures and minute blood vessels of the uterus, ovaries, and soft tissues, thereby minimizing complications. The entire uterus and adnexa were removed vaginally in about 90 minutes. This minimally invasive technique, involving incisions of only a few millimeters, leaves minimal scarring. Patients experience reduced post-operative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and quicker return to normal activities, typically discharged after two days.

Robotic surgery offers significant advantages over traditional open and laparoscopic methods, doctor My Nhi noted. The Da Vinci Xi, a minimally invasive surgical robot system manufactured in the United States, supports 120 complex surgeries. These include prostatectomy, kidney tumor removal, lung tumor resection, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and procedures for colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, and cardiovascular conditions. Tam Anh Hospital implemented this robot system in early 5/2025, successfully performing hundreds of complex cases across three specialties: thoracic, urology, and gastroenterology. Its recent gynecological applications include: hysterectomy, uterine fibroid removal, ovarian tumor resection, and treatment for uterine prolapse, pelvic organ prolapse, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer.

Tue Diem

*Patient's name has been changed