First-of-its-kind robotic system advances microsurgery capabilities in Australia

Sydney.  November 11, 2024 – The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) celebrates a groundbreaking achievement at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, which has become the first hospital in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region to introduce cutting-edge robotic technology for microsurgery.

Dr Eldon Mah, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at St Vincent’s and a member of the ASPS, is the first surgeon in Australia trained to operate this advanced technology; and alongside colleague and specialist plastic surgeon Dr Sophie Ricketts undertook the first successful patient case using the technology.

The robotic surgical system – called the Symani Surgical System – enables surgeons to operate with unmatched precision, on vessels smaller than a millimetre in diameter.

President of ASPS, Dr David Morgan said this is a groundbreaking advancement for surgical innovation and marks a new era in microsurgery and patient treatment and reflects the ambition of Specialist Plastic Surgeons to expand the field of reconstructive microsurgery for patient benefit and pave a path for the next generation of plastic surgeons

Morgan said: “The broader impact of this robotic technology is that it opens up possibilities for procedures that will significantly improve patient care, particularly in complex reconstructions after cancer, trauma, and nerve injuries. The precision offered by the technology allows surgeons to perform highly delicate operations with greater confidence and improved results. 

“ASPS is delighted to see Dr Mah, his surgical colleagues and St Vincent’s embracing this new technology to transform the way we conduct microsurgery. They are helping lead a global change that will enable specialist plastic surgeons to provide better surgical care for Australians in need,” he said.

Developed by the Italian company Medical Microinstruments Inc. (MMI), the Symani Surgical System, is a tele-operated robot that mimics the surgeon’s hand and wrist movements, scaling them down to perform intricate, delicate operations in areas of the body that are challenging for human hands to access.

This first-of-its-kind technology is set to transform reconstructive procedures by enhancing surgical precision and expanding the capabilities of microsurgery. Dr Mah and plastic surgeon colleague Dr Ed Morrison worked closely with Device Technologies and MMI to bring this unique technology to Australia.

Integral to the robot’s success are its specialised wristed instruments incorporating tremor-reduction and motion-scaling technologies, which help address the difficulties of microsurgery procedures, empowering surgeons to perform minimally invasive, complex reconstructive procedures that were previously difficult to achieve.

 Dr Eldon Mah, the first surgeon in Australia to operate on patients using the robotic system said the technology revolutionises microsurgery and changes how surgeons can repair delicate structures in the body, ultimately improving patient outcomes and expanding the range of potential treatments.

Dr Mah said:  “The ability to repair structures such as blood vessels less than a millimetre in dimension takes the degree of surgical precision to previously unimaginable levels.  Robotic microsurgery has the potential to reduce the need for multiple surgeries, minimise patient recovery time, and reduce surgeon fatigue.

“This breakthrough positions Australia at the forefront of APAC medical innovation and builds on St Vincent’s legacy of microsurgical excellence. I encourage all plastic surgeons interested in this field to follow the machine’s advancements as they unfold, we are literally on the cutting edge of what can now be achieved in microscopic reconstructive surgery.”

Initially, the Symani robot will be used in breast reconstruction, sarcoma, head and neck cancer reconstruction, and digit replantation. As the technology advances, its applications will extend to lymphatic repair, management of chronic wounds such as those associated with diabetic foot disease, and peripheral vascular disease treatment.

“Introducing the Symani Surgical System at St Vincent’s marks a pivotal moment for microsurgery in Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” said Dr Damien Grinsell, Director Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

“The precision and capability this technology brings to delicate reconstructive procedures represent a monumental step forward, not only in how we approach complex cases but also in the quality of patient outcomes we can achieve. This advancement sets a new standard in our commitment to providing world-class surgical care, and I am incredibly proud of our team for leading this groundbreaking work.”

Ends

For further information, please contact: Sandra Hogg, Mohr PR on +62 403 823 218

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