South Korean hospitals advance urological care with robotic surgery

South Korean medical institutions are reporting significant advancements in urological procedures using the Da Vinci SP single-port robotic surgery system.

At Inha University Hospital, Professor Noh Beom-yong successfully performed the first pediatric pyeloplasty using the single-port robotic system in the Gyeongin region. The procedure was conducted on an 8-year-old boy suffering from ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The use of the robot's 3D vision and precise instrument control allowed for successful reconstruction, enabling the patient to be discharged two days after surgery.

Separately, Professor Kim Kwang-hyun at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital has reached a milestone of 500 urological surgeries using the same Da Vinci SP system. The hospital utilizes specialized techniques such as the extraperitoneal approach for prostate cancer and the Low Anterior Access (LAA) method for kidney cancer. These methods aim to reduce physical burden on patients, minimize scarring, and shorten recovery times, particularly for high-risk or elderly patients.