The first radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland) using da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery, was conducted at the Mediclinic Bloemfontein.
Dr Rachel Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Mediclinic, Southern Africa, said this was done by Urologists -Drs Aubrey Coetzer and Willem Dahms.
Moore said the da Vinci robotic surgical system assists surgeons to perform complex operations with greater precision, flexibility and control, than traditional methods.
“It works with the surgeon rather than independently, with the surgeon present in the operating theatre seated at a console which gives them full control throughout the procedure. The surgeon guides the robotic arms equipped with tiny instruments that allow movement just like a human hand but with far greater flexibility and range. A 3D camera provides high-definition views magnified to ten times those of the human eye.”
Both urological and colorectal procedures, were undertaken at the Bloemfontein clinic, Vergelegen, Kloof and Durbanville.
The clinic is hoping technological advancement in this way, will always work alongside human resources, to deliver the highest quality of client-centred care.
The very first exercise recorded in South Africa, was by the Netcare Group in partnership with the University of Pretoria, back in 2013.