The Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC) has officially joined the growing wave of medical institutions adopting robotic surgery to treat cancer. In a major milestone, the ICC recently performed its first minimally invasive robotic thoracoscopy at Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba in Fortaleza, marking a significant step forward in the state’s healthcare technology.
This pioneering procedure was carried out using the da Vinci X robotic platform—considered one of the most advanced surgical systems in the world. The operation treated a case of lung cancer and was the first of its kind in the region using robotic assistance.
What is Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery where doctors use robotic systems to enhance precision, flexibility, and control during procedures. These systems mimic a surgeon’s hand movements and allow for smaller incisions, reducing trauma to the body.
While these procedures are technically demanding and require high surgical skill, they offer several benefits over traditional methods—including less pain, lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times for patients.
Focus on Oncology
At the ICC, robotic surgery is being employed specifically for cancer treatments. According to thoracic surgeon Dr. Renato Torrano of the ICC network, two types of conditions currently being addressed with this technique include:
- Pulmonary resections: Removal of part of the lung, typically for lung cancer patients but also for those with other lung-related illnesses.
- Mediastinal tumors: Tumors located in the mediastinum, the area between the lungs near the heart and stomach, requiring high surgical precision due to its sensitive location.
Challenges and Funding
Despite the promising results, robotic surgeries are not yet covered by Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS), which is still in the early stages of integrating such technology. The ICC’s operations have been made possible through Pronon, a national cancer care funding program.
Source: Olhar Digital
