FV Hospital Successfully Performs First Robotic Rectal Cancer Surgery with da Vinci Xi

FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has announced a successful rectal cancer surgery using the da Vinci Xi robotic system, marking a significant advancement in colorectal cancer treatment in Vietnam. The patient was Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tan, an elderly man who had delayed surgery for several months due to concerns about medical risks. The surgery was performed by Dr. Phan Van Thai, Head of General Surgery at the hospital and a certified da Vinci robot expert. According to hospital information, Mr. Tan was diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer, with a tumor approximately 6 cm in size. The patient had experienced symptoms including abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and a persistent feeling of needing to pass stool (tenesmus) before receiving an official diagnosis. After thorough consultation about treatment options, Mr. Tan agreed to undergo surgery using the da Vinci Xi robot. The surgery lasted approximately 4 hours, during which doctors removed a bowel segment of about 25 cm, including the tumor and adjacent lymph nodes. A notable feature of this surgery was the use of ICG (Indocyanine Green) fluorescence imaging to assess the perfusion of the rejoined bowel segment, helping to reduce the risk of anastomotic leak - one of the most serious complications of colorectal surgery. The da Vinci Xi robotic system provides surgeons with high-definition 3D imaging and flexible robotic arms, allowing precise maneuvers within the narrow pelvic space. Dr. Phan Van Thai said: 'The da Vinci Xi robot allows us to perform surgery with higher precision and less invasiveness compared to traditional open surgery. Patients can recover faster and experience less pain after surgery.' After surgery, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tan said he felt less pain than expected. The patient shared: 'I was very worried before surgery, but the doctors explained the procedure very carefully to me. I didn't feel much pain after the operation as I had imagined.' According to Dr. Phan Van Thai, many rectal cancer patients in Vietnam often delay surgery due to concerns about complications and prolonged recovery time, leading to missing the 'golden period' in treatment. He emphasized that with advances in robotic surgery technology, rectal cancer patients can now access less invasive treatment methods with better outcomes. FV Hospital, located at 06 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the leading medical facilities in Vietnam in adopting advanced robotic surgery technology. The hospital's Hy Vong Cancer Treatment Center has been treating many cancer patients with multimodal methods including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This da Vinci Xi robotic surgery marks an important milestone in adopting advanced surgical technology in Vietnam, opening new hope for colorectal cancer patients. The combination of a modern robotic system, ICG fluorescence imaging technique, and an experienced team of doctors has created a comprehensive treatment method, helping to improve the quality of life for patients after surgery. In the context that colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Vietnam, access to advanced treatment methods such as da Vinci Xi robotic surgery is important in improving treatment outcomes and reducing the disease burden on the community. FV Hospital said it will continue to expand the application of this technology for other types of cancer in the near future. For patients considering rectal cancer treatment options, the message from Dr. Phan Van Thai is clear: do not delay surgery out of fear. 'Many patients come to us when the tumor is already too large or has metastasized, making treatment much more difficult. Early detection and timely intervention are key factors for the best treatment outcomes,' he emphasized. FV Hospital encourages those with symptoms suspicious of colorectal cancer to seek early examination for timely screening and consultation. With the continuous development of medical technology, cancer treatment methods are becoming increasingly effective and less invasive, bringing hope to thousands of patients in Vietnam. The successful da Vinci Xi robotic surgery at FV Hospital is not only a noteworthy medical achievement but also evidence of the progress of Vietnamese medicine in adopting the world's most advanced technologies. This is an important step in improving the quality of healthcare for the people, especially in the field of cancer treatment. With the combination of modern technology, advanced surgical techniques, and an experienced team of doctors, FV Hospital is affirming its position as a leading cancer treatment center in Vietnam, ready to face challenges in treating colorectal cancer and other types of cancer in the future. Through this, the hospital continuously strives to bring hope and better quality of life to cancer patients across the country.