JAKARTA - So far, not a few prostate cancer patients in Indonesia choose to undergo treatment abroad because they think that medical technology in the country is not equivalent.
This decision is often made even though it has to bear a large cost, face a long distance, and a more complex recovery process. In fact, the development of technology and medical innovation in Indonesia is now increasingly advanced and able to meet the needs of treating complex diseases such as prostate cancer.
This perception began to shift with the advent of the Da Vinci XI robotic surgery technology in Indonesia. This advanced surgical system opens access for patients to get prostate cancer treatment with cutting-edge technology without having to leave the country, while marking a significant advancement in national health services.
Da Vinci XI technology allows surgical procedures to be performed minimally invasive with a high level of precision. This approach helps preserve healthy tissue around the prostate, so it not only affects the success of cancer removal, but also contributes greatly to the patient's quality of life after surgery.
Consultant Urologic Oncology Eka Hospital MT Haryono, Prof Dr dr Agus Rizal A.H. Hamid, Sp.U (K) Onk, FICRS, said the presence of Da Vinci XI brought a major change in the approach to prostate cancer surgery in Indonesia.
"Now patients no longer need to go abroad to get prostate treatment with modern technology. The presence of this robot does not replace the doctor, but expands the vision and hand capabilities of the doctor who handles it," said Prof. Agus at a media briefing in Jakarta, recently.
Although often referred to as a surgical robot, Prof. Agus emphasized that Da Vinci XI does not work automatically. All medical actions are still completely under the control of specialist doctors through a surgical console.
Through this system, doctors can reach areas that are difficult to access using conventional surgical techniques without having to make many large incisions. This helps reduce post-operative pain and speed up the patient's recovery process.
Another advantage of Da Vinci XI lies in its high-resolution three-dimensional visualization capabilities. From the surgical console, doctors can see the tissue structure in detail and depth, including the nerves and important blood vessels surrounding the prostate.
The four stable robot arms translate each doctor's hand movement into a precise, tremor-free micro-movement. This level of accuracy is crucial in prostate cancer surgery, given that even the slightest error can impact urinary function and patient quality of life.
Unlike conventional surgery which is highly dependent on the strength and endurance of the doctor's hands, Da Vinci XI uses a robotic arm that is able to rotate and move flexibly resembling a human hand, even at difficult angles.
"We all know that human hands have limits. For example, doctors who perform surgery or surgery, there must be tremors or hands at certain times when cutting body tissues and so on. If handled by robotic technology, then for this task it will be more precise and efficient, so we can work millimeter by millimeter more carefully," added Prof. Agus.
The four-arm configuration of the robot allows one specialist doctor to perform complex actions more efficiently and consistently, while reducing the level of fatigue during the operation.
The presence of Da Vinci XI in Indonesia also expands patient access to advanced surgical technology that was previously synonymous with foreign hospitals. Prof. Agus said that this robotic surgery service is now accessible in the country for patients who meet medical indications, especially in cases that require high levels of precision.
In terms of affordability, the cost of treatment in Indonesia is considered more rational than undergoing similar procedures abroad, especially when taking into account additional expenses such as travel, accommodation, and a longer recovery period.
In addition to being used for the radical action of prostatektomi in prostate cancer, the Da Vinci XI technology is also recommended for partial nephrectomy in kidney tumors, as well as various urinary tract reconstruction procedures that are difficult to perform with manual surgical techniques.
The use of this robotic technology marks a significant shift in the world of modern surgery in Indonesia. With a combination of 3D visualization, motion stability, and high precision control, Da Vinci XI is considered capable of improving surgical outcomes while providing new hope for patients to recover without having to seek treatment abroad.
"The benefits of this technology are also felt during the patient's recovery. Smaller incisions mean less tissue trauma, reduced postoperative pain, and lower risk of complications," concluded Prof. Agus.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
