A low-dose CT scan revealed a cancerous tumor in the patient's right upper lung lobe. Doctor of Medicine, Specialist Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Thoracic - Vascular Surgery Department at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City, recommended surgery for complete tumor removal while preserving healthy lung tissue, followed by adjuvant treatment to maintain the patient's quality of life.

Several surgical options were presented to the patient, including traditional endoscopic lobectomy costing 50-70 million VND, or robotic surgery with a cost approximately hai to ba times higher. Robotic surgery offers advantages such as flexible manipulation in the narrow chest cavity, reduced damage to healthy lung tissue, minimal blood loss, and fewer postoperative complications. Given these benefits and partial health insurance coverage, Ms. Phong chose the robotic method.

The Da Vinci Xi robot, which simulates the human wrist and rotates 540 degrees, enabled the surgeon to completely dissect the right upper lung lobe and remove associated lymph nodes. An integrated vessel sealing system allowed the surgeon to remove tissue and achieve immediate hemostasis without changing instruments.

Hai weeks post-surgery, Ms. Phong recovered well, with reduced chest pain, less coughing, and normal eating and mobility.

Dr. Dung (right) with his team during a robotic surgery. Illustrative photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Binh, Head of the Insurance Records Department at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the hospital provides health insurance coverage for robot-assisted endoscopic surgeries. These cases include: hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction; common bile duct cysts, endoscopic choledochal cyst jejunostomy, pediatric lobectomy, and typical lobectomy. Conditions such as congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung disease), anal and rectal malformations, and gastroesophageal reflux, when treated with robotic assistance, are also partially covered by insurance.

Many other categories of robotic surgery also receive partial health insurance coverage, including: surgical bed fees (commensurate with the type of surgery), pre-operative test kits, surgery costs, medical supplies used during the operation (including high-tech medical supplies if applicable), and medications.

According to Dr. Dung, the gradual health insurance coverage for robotic surgery helps patients access high technology and improves their quality of life.

Bao Anh

*Patient's name has been changed