Technology Spreads Warmth Throughout the Medical Ecosystem
Genuine Care for Patients Prioritized over Technical Applications

“The fundamental goal of robotic surgery is to maximize outcomes with minimal invasion. Robotic surgery offers greater precision compared to existing procedures, and the three-dimensional images at ten times the current magnification allow surgeons to remove cancer tissues completely while minimizing damage. Postoperative complications like pneumonia are also significantly reduced since the surgeries involve less pain and bleeding, leading to a speedier recovery.”

Director Kang recommends robotic surgery only if it is suitable for patients, that is, if he sees it as the ideal solution considering the stage of disease and recovery. Robotic surgery is also known as robot-assisted surgery, which implies that robots and human surgeons join hands to carry out procedures.

“Even when the patient is opened up, the prostate is not clearly visible. This is more so for Asians, who tend to have smaller pelvises. Robots serve as valuable assistants in such situations. They eliminate vibrations of the hand, and also offer easier visual identification of cancer tissues during surgery, along with real-time monitoring of veins and blood flow. More than 70% of the procedures for prostate cancer are being converted to robotic surgery. The key advantages of robotic surgery are the speed of recovery and satisfaction among patients.” According to Director Kang, the future of medicine is shaped by the development of technology, and advanced technology should be utilized to serve the interests of patients.

Embracing Challenging Procedures and Making History
Patient Safety Cannot Be Overemphasized

Some hospitals recommend robotic surgery even for simple procedures, thus placing a huge financial burden on patients. However, Anam Hospital does not provide separate incentives to surgeons for performing robotic surgery. Since robotic surgery was first introduced in 2007, the hospital has focused on its therapeutic effectiveness and suitability for patients, not profitability. Director Kang says, “University hospitals must be capable of performing surgeries for serious conditions. I’m proud of Anam Hospital for its pioneering moves in the field and efforts to take into account both severity and diversity.” In 2007, the Robotic Surgery Center became the second institute in Asia to introduce robotic surgery, following Severance Hospital. Over the years, it has lived up to the KU spirit by taking initiatives and exercising leadership. The robotic colorectal surgical procedure developed by Professor Seon-hahn Kim of the Department of Colorectal Surgery is recognized as the world’s standard. Professor Jun Cheon of the Department of Genito-Urology contributed a part of Robotic Urologic Surgery, a textbook published by Springer. The renowned surgeon, both in Korea and around the globe, has also broadcasted live surgery on four continents. Director Kang himself, the recipient of numerous awards in the field of bladder cancer, was the first to introduce robotic radical cystectomy with total intracorporeal urinary diversion in Asia. He is known to have performed the highest number of such procedures.