Three orthopaedic surgeries were broadcast live from the operating rooms of Viet Duc University Hospital to the venue of the National Orthopaedic Trauma Conference on October 2, including a robot-assisted knee replacement.
Speaking at the conference, themed “Applying science and technology in orthopaedic trauma”, Nguyen Manh Khanh, deputy director of Viet Duc University Hospital and chairman of the Vietnam Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, said the three procedures were performed and broadcast live on the morning of October 2.
Doctor Nguyen Manh Khanh demonstrates a surgical procedure (Photo: Ngoc Ngoc).
The first patient to undergo robot-assisted knee replacement at the hospital was a 68-year-old man who had suffered from osteoarthritis in both knees and years of severe pain.
After examination and diagnosis, doctors performed robot-assisted surgery to replace both knee joints. The procedure went smoothly and both replacements were successful.
Khanh said robot-assisted surgery can be programmed to reproduce the patient's anatomical and physiological knee structure more accurately, potentially shortening recovery time and improving mobility.
This marks a major difference from conventional surgery, in which surgeons make cuts based on the configuration of the joint.
However, he stressed that robots are not suitable for every knee replacement.
“For patients who come to hospital late, have severe knee deformities or old residual injuries, robots cannot replace surgeons. Surgeons remain in control, assessing the patient's condition and deciding which type of joint replacement is most appropriate,” Khanh said.
Viet Duc University Hospital performs more than 50,000 orthopaedic and spinal surgeries each year, he said, creating a significant financial burden for patients and the health insurance fund. Doctors therefore continue to research and apply new techniques and materials to provide treatment that is both effective and cost-efficient.
The October 2-3 conference features more than 200 presentations, with experts discussing the use of technology in treating orthopaedic conditions. The programme includes lectures and live surgical demonstrations covering several emerging areas.
Topics include robot-assisted knee replacement, minimally invasive surgery combined with bone cement injection for thoracolumbar spinal fixation, and the use of biological products to reconstruct extensive rotator cuff tears in the shoulder.
International experts discuss robot-assisted knee replacement surgery (Photo: Ngoc Ngoc).
The conference has attracted leading surgeons and speakers from Vietnam and abroad, with international presentations accounting for about 20 per cent of the total and coming from countries including France, China, South Korea and Germany.
“Applying science and technology is an inevitable trend, requiring doctors to keep pace with and master new technologies. The use of AI, new materials and robotic surgery in treatment will help improve patient care,” Khanh said.
The Vietnam Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology now has more than 2,000 members. Alongside expanding its membership, the association is also focusing on improving professional standards and the quality of care.
