South Africa: New robot technology to revolutionise surgery

South Africa is set to get a revolutionary new multi-million-rand robotic surgery system which undertakes highly complex surgical procedures safer and more cost effectively.
The Urology Hospital in Pretoria is the first SA institution to acquire the da Vinci® surgery robotic system through SA’s Earth Medical, part of Litha Medical division in the Litha Healthcare Group Limited. This robotic technology is being used in major medical centres all over the world, providing advanced technology for better minimally invasive surgery.
It is ideal for both complex and delicate surgeries such as the surgical removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy), where the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.
MD of the Urology Hospital, Sarel van der Walt, said the technology will result in less blood loss, less pain, shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal daily activities, particularly for prostatectomies – the initial leading procedure to be undertaken with the robotic system.

Minimally invasive surgery
The “robot” technology will help surgeons take minimally invasive surgery to the next level. For example, at any one time, a surgeon can operate a camera and three instruments, said Thomas Dunbar, MD of Earth Medical which is part of the Litha Healthcare Group.
“I’m confident this robotic surgery will be a giant leap ahead for minimally invasive surgery in this country,” added Dunbar.
Around two million procedures using this technology have already been undertaken around the world, according to Intuitive Surgical, Inc which produces the robotic technology.
The da Vinci® surgery robotic system will be operational for surgery at the Urology Hospital during October 2013, commencing with prostatectomies.
Litha Healthcare press release