Minimally invasive 'da Vinci robotic surgery'

leads the 'global standard treatment'

After 20 years of practice in South Korea, a cumulative incidence of robotic surgery of over 370,000 cases have been conducted

The next generation robotic surgical system, 'da Vinci 5 (dV5),' launched last year, has garnered attention

Insurance coverage discussion has not progressed, accessibility expansion remains a challenge

As robotic surgery becomes a global standard, the industrial robotics market continues to grow in size.

 

In South Korea, where Intuitive Surgical's first Asian branch was established, the market presence of da Vinci robotic surgery is increasingly broadening as it marks its 20th anniversary since its introduction to the country.

 

Intuitive Surgical Korea (hereinafter referred to as Intuitive) recently held a press conference to share its achievements over the past 20 years and its future vision.

 

Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System-Assisted Surgery Synergy with Korean Medical Professionals' Leadership Since the introduction of the da Vinci Robotic surgical systems (hereinafter referred to as 'da Vinci') to South Korea, Intuitive has conducted a cumulative incidence of robotic surgery of over 370,000 cases until now.

 

As of 2024, this record indicates that a surgery was conducted every 8 minute 15 second in average.

 

Yong-Bum Choi, CEO of Intuitive Surgical Korea

Korea is performing single-port robotic surgery (da Vinci), which makes only one incision, more actively than any other country globally, demonstrating the leadership of Korean medical professionals.

 

Indeed, Intuitive has consistently introduced innovative technologies to the Korean market, such as being the first country outside of the U.S.

 

headquarters to launch the next-generation robotic surgery system, 'da Vinci 5 (dV 5),' last year.

 

Yong-Bum Choi, CEO of Intuitive Surgical Korea, said, "Over the past 20 years, robotic surgery has drawn a new standard for surgery amidst technological advancements and changes in the medical environment." Choi added, "This is the result of Intuitive's philosophy of 'Patient First, Always' combined with the efforts of domestic medical professionals." This exceptional surgical skill and leadership of Korean medical professionals are factors that led Intuitive's headquarters to choose Korea as a key innovation hub, enabling close cooperation, from the establishment of its first Asian branch (in 2012) to the prioritized introduction of its latest models.

 

Globally, approximately 17 million surgeries have been performed using Intuitive's da Vinci over the past 30 years.

 

Of this, Korea's accumulated experience accounts for 370,000 cases, playing a significant role in establishing the global standard.

 

Over 43,000 research papers utilizing Intuitive's technology have been published since 1998, with more than 4,000 in 2024 alone, indicating a significant contribution by Korean medical professionals to the dissemination of knowledge.

 

Choi presented his vision, stating, "Just as we turned imagination into reality 20 years ago when robotic surgery first emerged, the next 20 years will see a future where, fused with digital technology, patients can receive the best standard of care anytime, anywhere."

Infographic of Intuitive

During the press conference, the latest robotic surgery system, da Vinci 5 (dV5), was highlighted.

 

da Vinci 5 features over 150 improvements compared to previous models, notably including a 'Force Feedback' function that allows surgeons to feel the force applied to tissue during surgery with their fingertips, a higher-resolution 3D vision system, and AI-based surgical data analysis capabilities.

 

Hyo Jung Kang, Team Leader at Intuitive Surgical Korea, said, "da Vinci 5 sets a new, higher standard for providing better surgeries to more patients through data utilization." Kang emphasized, "You can experience various functions that simultaneously enhance operating room efficiency and patient safety." Robotic Surgery Has Elevated Surgical Outcomes…Accessibility Expansion remains a Challenge As robotic surgery becomes established in clinical settings, its medical value is recognized for improving patient outcomes, and its societal value lies in elevating and standardizing surgical outcomes.

 

Evidence from clinical research indicates that robot-assisted surgery significantly improves patient prognosis compared to traditional open surgery or laparoscopy.

 

A meta-analysis of over 230 papers published across 22 countries over 12 years for 7 cancer types showed that robotic surgery demonstrated improvements in key indicators compared to other surgical methods, including conversion rates (rate of conversion to open surgery), blood loss, complication rates, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates.

 

Choi stated, "What is important is not the advancement of the technology itself, but that it ultimately allows patients to be freer from complications and pain, benefit from reduced hospital stays, and return to daily life quickly," and added, "In that regard, robotic surgery significantly contributes to social value by elevating and standardizing surgical outcomes." However, broadening the accessibility of robotic surgery was mentioned as a challenge that needs to be addressed.

 

This is because most robotic surgeries in Korea are currently performed on a non-reimbursed basis, leading to a substantial cost burden for individual patients.

 

Regarding this, Choi stated, "I believe no one would oppose the aim of increasing patient access to treatment.

 

If more patients can benefit from robotic surgery through national health insurance coverage, I would certainly support it," and added, "However, as reimbursement is an issue that requires coordination among various stakeholders ,including the government and the medical community, a careful consultation process will be necessary."

Intuitive

Choi noted that robotic surgery is becoming the standard of care globally.

 

He explained, "Currently, in Japan, robotic surgery is reimbursed for most cancer types, and in Taiwan, 46 additional surgeries were added last year, with a total of 65 surgeries now reimbursed." He found it interesting that "the UK's National Health Service (NHS) recently announced its plan to convert 90% of surgeries currently performed by laparoscopy to robotic surgery by 2035." Along with this, regarding market entry by competitors, Choi said, "While over 60 global companies are developing robotic surgery technology in various ways, Intuitive is confident in maintaining its competitiveness with its accumulated experience and sophiscated technology." Finally, Choi added, "It is rewarding when I hear stories from medical professionals who, during their rounds the day after surgery, personally witness patients who underwent robotic surgery quickly returning to their daily lives." He concluded, "Rapid patient recovery indicates that the value of robotic surgery can be shared with more people."