New robotic surgery system speeds up operations
Chinese University's faculty of medicine says it has successfully tested a new robotic surgery system that can reduce operation times, minimise blood loss and cut down hospital stays for patients. The system, complete with robotic arms, is much more mobile than an all-in-one device deployed in the past, and has been used in 10 prostate cancer operations at Prince of Wales Hospital.  Urology professor Ng Chi-fai on Wednesday said the all-in-one device is too large to be moved to different operating theatres easily and is limited by the pre-designed configuration of its robotic arms. As well as being more flexible, Ng said the new system also has an open console with 3D monitoring, which makes it even more convenient for surgeons.  "In this past, the surgeon needed to sit inside the console to control the robot, (making them) more isolated from the main theatre environment. (With the) new console, other surgeons or even students can also wear 3D glasses to look into the operating view, so it will be good for learning, teaching and supervision," he explained. Ng said the 3D monitoring can also help surgeons more accurately cut body tissue and sew wounds. He said there are plans to apply the system for kidney operations as well.