First regional hospital marks next-gen robotic surgery milestone

The first regional hospital in Australia has introduced the da Vinci 5 (dV5) surgical system, expanding access to advanced minimally invasive procedures across general surgery, gynaecology, urology and cardiothoracic surgery.

St John of God Geelong Hospital’s introduction of the next-generation robotic platform builds on Geelong’s established robotic surgery program, which has delivered more than 3,000 procedures since 2016 and continues to strengthen the region’s capability in advanced surgical care.

Early qualitative data from surgeons using the da Vinci 5 surgical system have highlighted its value in several key areas, including enhanced ergonomic comfort, support for future surgical training and potential economic benefits through reduced operative times. However, findings regarding its impact on clinical outcomes remain mixed, reflecting the early stage of adoption and system maturity.

The ergonomic advantages of the technology were consistently identified by both male and female surgeons, who reported reduced physical strain, decreased fatigue and improved body positioning during procedures.

“This could have particular significance in narrowing the gender gap in surgical ergonomics. Prior literature has documented disparities in ergonomic strain between male and female surgeons during non-robotic operations. This gender disparity…has been associated with an increase in work-related injuries,” the authors wrote. “Robotic surgery has been documented to decrease some of this strain including on the neck, back, hip, knee, ankle, foot and shoulder but previous version of robotic surgical systems were still associated with a gender difference in pain.”

As more women enter the surgical workforce, continued improvements in ergonomic design are expected to have a positive impact, including during pregnancy, when ergonomic optimisation becomes particularly important.

“I like the console adjustments, and the ergonomics [of the dV-5 system] are just better. I noticed that I do not have neck strain and problems after a day of operating. If I am doing a longer case, I will notice things like that,” said one female surgeon.

The enhanced data metrics available through the Case Insights platform accompanying the dV5 system were also recognised as a valuable resource for continuous learning. Surgeons identified the platform’s benchmarking capability as an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement, including through greater insight into technical elements such as the force applied during surgery.

The system was also associated with perceived improvements in operational efficiency, with its features and instrumentation supporting streamlined workflows and more effective use of physical space within the operating room.

“The biggest expense of any hospital system is going to be the operating room, and from my personal experience, I went from having adrenals that stayed a couple of days to now stay overnight, and I went from cases laparoscopically that took me about 4 hours console time to 50 to 60 minutes for these procedures on the dV-5. That a cost saving metric,” said a female surgeon.

The purchase of the dV5 was supported by a generous anonymous donation facilitated through St John of God Foundation, highlighting the important role of philanthropy in enabling clinical innovation and helping deliver exceptional care for the communities served.

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