RPA Institute of Academic Surgery hosts 2024 Surgical Robotics and Innovation Summit to record audience.

Live surgery was a highlight at this year’s Surgical Robotics and Innovation Summit – a first for a Sydney Local Health District event. 

Performed by Concord Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse urologist, Associate Professor Ruban Thanigasalam, on a da Vinci Xi robot, the Robotic assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy was streamed across the city from Chris O’Brien Lifehouse to the Sydney Convention Centre.

He explained that the use of robotics allows District surgeons to work with more flexibility and control than traditional methods.

“The movements of the robot replicate the movements of the human wrist. It gives us the opportunity to do highly precise surgery that can improve patient outcomes,” he said.

“We are living in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. New techniques, materials and digital tools are revolutionising surgery and patient care,” said Dr Scott Leslie, RPA Urologist and Summit co-convener.

“This summit brings together leading surgeons, researchers, nurses, biomedical engineers and other pioneers to explore how innovation can enhance surgical precision, safety, and outcomes for our patients.” 

Ruban and Scott are two of several Sydney Local Health District surgeons who are Australian leaders in robotic surgery.

The 2024 Summit gave them the opportunity to host colleagues from across the country, and around the world, to discuss the translation of new ideas and cutting-edge developments into widespread clinical use. 

This year’s conference saw over 500 attendees at the two-day event, with specialised talks in nursing, cardiothoracic, colorectal, gynaecology, upper GI, head and neck, ENT, and orthopaedics.

Speakers included Professor Inderbir Gill from the University of Southern California, a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery, Professor Tony Costello AM, an Australian pioneer in robotic surgery, and Associate Professor Amith Shetty, Chief Executive e-Health NSW.

Summit attendees were officially welcomed by Graeme Loy PSM, District Chief Executive, who had nothing but praise for RPA Institute of Academic Surgery and the clinical staff who came together from all surgical disciplines to support the conference. 

“The talent that exists in our teams, the talents that exist in our surgeons, is leading the way through Australia. We are globally recognised and it’s amazing to see what we can achieve,” he said. 

“Innovation to me is the translation of research into patient care and into what we do at the bedside, and in the operating theatres, and this is a fantastic example.”

A flagship event held every two years, the Surgical Robotics and Innovation Summit is Australia’s leading multidisciplinary and multi-specialty surgical robotics and innovations conference focusing on improving patient outcomes through technology and collaboration. 

Platinum event sponsor Device Technologies supported the live surgery and is a key collaborator alongside the University of Sydney to deliver the southern hemisphere’s only training institute for robotic surgery at RPA, making the hospital one of the only public tertiary referral hospitals in Australia with a da Vinci Xi surgical robot.