On March 13, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with leading Asia-Pacific medical technology company Device Technologies and US-based Intuitive Surgical, organized a specialized training program on the application of the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system in gynecologic care, aiming to expand access to advanced robotic-assisted surgery in Vietnam.

The GE HealthCare (US) 1.5 Tesla MRI system integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) delivers high-resolution imaging and faster scan times, supporting early screening and diagnosis of neurological, spinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, abdominal, and breast diseases. Photo: VNA

The event marked a major milestone in the development of robotic gynecologic surgery in Vietnam, representing the country’s first large-scale, structured advanced training program dedicated to robotic-assisted obstetric and gynecologic procedures using the Da Vinci Xi platform. The program featured hands-on instruction from internationally experienced specialists and attracted nearly 200 OB-GYN physicians from across the country.

The faculty included Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (US); Dr. Mireille Diem My Truong from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (US); Dr. Do Huu Trieu from Rush University Medical Center (US); and Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Pelvic Floor Society and Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center at Tam Anh General Hospital HCMC, one of Vietnam’s leading experts in the field.

The clinic is equipped with the AI-integrated Somatom Force VB30 CT scanner featuring more than 100,000 image slices, supporting the detection, screening, and early diagnosis of tumors and cancers. Photo: VNA

Emergency care activities at the Emergency Department of Tam Anh Cau Giay Clinic. Photo: VNA

Beyond its reputation as a leading healthcare provider, Tam Anh Hospital aims to become a national center for robotic surgery training and advanced medical technology transfer, leveraging state-of-the-art equipment, highly specialized clinical teams, and partnerships with internationally recognized medical institutions.

Broadcast live from the operating room to the conference auditorium, Dr. My Nhi performed robotic-assisted procedures on two patients. One case involved a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with uterine fibroids who had experienced prolonged abnormal uterine bleeding over the previous three months. Laboratory findings confirmed anemia requiring iron supplementation. Despite prior uterine curettage and medical therapy, her condition failed to improve, and hysterectomy was indicated.

Rather than performing conventional open surgery requiring an approximately 10-cm lower abdominal incision, Dr. My Nhi utilized the Da Vinci Xi robotic platform to perform a minimally invasive robotic-assisted hysterectomy. The system enables surgeons to visualize anatomical structures through highly magnified 3D imaging while allowing greater precision in suturing, tissue dissection, and hemostatic control compared with traditional surgical techniques.

To date, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center at Tam Anh General Hospital has performed Da Vinci Xi robotic procedures on dozens of patients. Hospital-wide, nearly 300 patients across the specialties of Urology, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology have undergone robotic-assisted surgery during the past 10 months.

During the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh, Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Unit at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, shared clinical experience in managing rare intraoperative scenarios from the robotic console. Detailed guidance on early recognition and safe management strategies helped participating physicians better understand robotic system operation and patient safety protocols.

The clinic utilizes a self-service registration and payment system, providing greater convenience for patients. Photo: VNA

He emphasized that robotic surgery is increasingly being adopted for the treatment of complex benign gynecologic conditions that are often difficult to manage using conventional techniques. However, Vietnam currently has only a limited number of specialists certified in Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery in obstetrics and gynecology, with Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi recognized as the first female specialist in the country to receive this certification.

To become a certified robotic surgeon, physicians must complete intensive theoretical and hands-on simulation training using 3D models. After meeting competency standards in both theory and simulation, trainees undergo direct evaluation by international experts assessing hand-eye-foot coordination, pedal control, intraoperative decision-making, and the simultaneous manipulation of multiple robotic instruments. Surgeons are then required to complete a minimum of nine supervised procedures under an internationally accredited evaluation system before receiving certification through a global robotic surgery training program.

Experts noted that developing a workforce of internationally certified robotic surgeons is essential to expanding the application of robotic-assisted surgery in Vietnam. Large-scale training initiatives at Tam Anh General Hospital are expected to help standardize surgical protocols while strengthening professional collaboration between Vietnamese physicians and leading robotic surgery centers worldwide.