Tokyo Bokutoh Hospital (Sumida City, Tokyo) has introduced the “da Vinci” surgical robot. Surgery using the da Vinci surgical system is performed through several small incisions, which reduces the burden on the body, and allows for more precise surgery with its image stabilization function and its greater range of motion than the human hand. 

As of February 2022, Bokutoh Hospital has employed the da Vinci system for prostate cancer in the Department of Urology, gastric and rectal cancers in the Department of Gastroenterology, and benign uterine tumors and early-stage uterine cancer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and plans to expand the scope of applicable procedures. 

Surgeries using the da Vinci surgical robot are performed by certified and trained surgeons. The robot supports surgeons and does not operate on its own. It is also covered under social health insurance and the high-cost medical expense benefit. In addition to Bokutoh Hospital, these surgical robots have also been introduced at Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital and Tama Medical Center.

Patient cart with four robotic arms

 

Users sit in an operating chair called the Surgeon's Console and operate a hand-held controller while viewing 3D images, and the movements are transmitted to the four robotic arms.

High-quality, 3D high-definition surgical images are projected on the monitor.

Surgery is performed through several small incisions, resulting in smaller wounds, less bleeding, and faster recovery times after surgery.

Tokyo Bokutoh Hospital website (External Link)