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Robotic Surgery Research Program

Summary of Program

The surgical robotics program at RPAH is one of the most comprehensive multi-specialty public programs in Australia. It is truly unique in that it is governed by a comprehensive research framework whereby every patient undergoing robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is enrolled in a research study. The use of RAS on the campus is also strongly embedded in ongoing education and training.

Currently there are five surgical specialties utilising the Intuitive Devices da Vinci Xi Surgical System at RPAH including benign gynaecology, cardiothoracic, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal and urology. In addition, the Stryker MAKO Robotic System is being used by orthopaedics in the Institute of Rheumatology and Orthopaedics (IRO) at RPAH. Clinical and patient-reported data on all robotic cases performed within the district is centralised in an overarching research database (BEST).

Highlights

  • Within the program, there have been over 1000 robotic-assisted procedures with the da Vinci Xi and Stryker MAKO robotic systems performed at RPAH. Having performed the first robotic-assisted surgery in August 2016, this milestone reflected the multidisciplinary contributions to the SLHD Surgical Robotics Program.
  • The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery commenced recruitment for the RASKAL Trial in 2022. RASKAL is a national registry-nested, multicentre randomised trial assessing clinical, intraoperative, functional, radiographic and survivorship outcomes. This is the first trial of its kind seeking to produce a high quality comparison between robotic assisted and computer navigated surgical approaches.
  • In April 2022, the Urology team received ethical approval for their third Randomised Controlled Trial within the SLHD Surgical Robotics Program. This is a testament to the continual efforts of the Department of Urology. This newest trial aims to compare method of urinary diversion during robotic-assisted radical cystectomy, and has been supported by a recently awarded clinical research grant from the Intuitive Foundation.

If you would like to get involved with our Robotic Surgery Research Program, submit an expression of interest HERE.