Robotic surgery: a new frontier in Việt Nam

Robotic surgery underway for patient N.C. — Photo plo.vn

HÀ NỘI —Việt Nam's cutting-edge technology and affordable healthcare costs have made it an attractive option for overseas cancer patients seeking robotic surgery.

One such patient is N.C., a 72-year-old Vietnamese-American diagnosed with prostate cancer, who has returned to Việt Nam for robotic surgery at Bình Dân Hospital in HCM City.

During a one-hour operation, Bình Dân Hospital's Deputy Director Nguyễn Ngọc Châu skillfully manoeuvred the robotic arms to remove his cancerous tumour and reconnect the bladder and urethra, allowing him to resume normal urinary function.

Another patient is L.M.T., 68, who opted for robotic surgery to remove a lung tumour. After considering various surgical methods, including open surgery and conventional laparoscopy, he chose robotic surgery to ensure maximum preservation of lung function.

Robotic surgery offers numerous benefits, including enhanced accuracy, reduced pain and faster recovery. The procedure is less invasive than traditional methods, resulting in less blood loss and quicker healing.

Châu explained that robotic surgery could access areas that conventional laparoscopy cannot, providing sharper 3D imaging that allows for more precision, while saving up to 40 per cent of the time compared to classic operations.

According to Nguyễn Văn Việt Thành, a specialist in thoracic surgery, robotic surgery provides unparalleled precision, allowing surgeons to observe tumours and blood vessels clearly.

This heightened visibility and the robot’s advanced functionality give surgeons greater confidence during complex and extended surgeries.

Bình Dân Hospital performs about three robotic surgeries every day and demand is rising. More patients from countries such as Switzerland, France and Cambodia are coming to Việt Nam to take advantage of the country’s high-quality medical procedures at lower costs.

Robotic surgery in Việt Nam costs between VNĐ130 million (US$5,300) to VNĐ150 million ($6,100), significantly cheaper than in many other countries, such as Singapore, where it can cost up to VNĐ1 billion ($40,700).

Bình Dân Hospital has become a regional training centre for robotic surgery. The hospital's surgeons are sought after internationally to share their expertise. With comparable surgical outcomes at a significantly lower cost, it is attracting a growing number of international patients.

"Việt Nam’s surgical techniques are on par with international standards, but the lower costs are a key factor attracting foreign patients for robotic surgery," said Châu.