New Surgical Robot at the Montreal General Hospital 

There is a new four-armed assistant in the Minimally Invasive Operating Room at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH-MUHC). A new Da Vinci Xi surgical robot is now at work, aiding surgeons in a wide variety of procedures, including thoracic, colorectal and abdominal wall surgery.

Robotic assistance is the future of minimally invasive surgery, enabling more patients to benefit from less invasive and more precise procedures. When preparing for surgery, for example, we can use images taken before the operation to model the area to be operated on and thus better plan the surgery. This improves surgical planning and training. For the healthcare system, robotic assistance can help reduce waitlists and costs.

The Montreal General Hospital is already a leader in the field of minimally invasive surgery, acting as a provincial referral centre for several programs. It is at the forefront of this next revolution.

Advancing The Future of Surgery

Acquiring this surgical robot is part of The Future of Surgery, a transformative initiative led by the MUHC Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Liane Feldman in partnership with the Montreal General Hospital Foundation. One of the main goals of this plan is to reduce hospital stays and improve recovery for patients. “Surgery heals and improves patients’ quality of life. My goal is to reduce its negative impacts and improve access to it,” explains Dr. Feldman.

Undoubtedly, minimally invasive robotic systems such as this one are key to achieving this goal. “The purchase of this advanced technology was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Courtois Family Foundation to the Montreal General Hospital Foundation. We are truly grateful for their commitment to improving patient care in transformational ways,” explained Stephanie Riddell, President and CEO of the Montreal General Hospital Foundation.

Developing a Robotics Program at the RI-MUHC

The Da Vinci robot system has immediate benefits for patients as well as long-term benefits as part of a larger robotics program at the Research Institute of the MUHC.  Says Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer (RI-MUHC): “I cannot overstate the importance for the Research Institute of developing a strong robotics program. This is truly the future of surgery and of the research that will underpin advancements in that field. We are proud to support the Surgical Performance Enhancement and Robotics, in partnership with the MUHC Department of Surgery and the Montreal General Hospital Foundation.”