RSCM Successfully Performs Indonesia's First Remote Gynaecological Surgery
National Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) has performed the first remote gynaecological surgery in Indonesia using telerobotic technology. This initiative aims to expand technological innovation into other healthcare sectors to provide minimally invasive, precise, and integrated medical care.
Bobi Prabowo, Director of Planning and Strategic Service Development at RSCM, stated that the surgical procedure was conducted from the RSCM Kencana Operating Theatre in Jakarta. It was broadcast live during the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Association for Gynecologic Surgery (APAGE), held alongside the 13th Annual Meeting of the Indonesian Gynecological Endoscopy Society (IGES) at the Jimbaran Convention Centre (JCC) in Bali.
“The surgery was performed over a distance of more than 1,000 kilometres, connecting the congress location in Bali with the RSCM Kencana Operating Theatre in Jakarta,” Bobi Prabowo said in Jakarta on Thursday.
He explained that the development of telerobotic surgery is part of the transformation of surgical services at RSCM. Advancements in medical technology, including robotic surgical systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and telemedicine, offer opportunities for hospitals to provide increasingly innovative, precise, and integrated services.
The tele-robotic surgery, performed during the APAGE and IGES Annual Meetings, serves as a way to utilise technology to support the exchange of knowledge and clinical experience among specialists. According to Prabowo, the event also demonstrates the capability of Indonesian medical professionals in utilising robotic surgical technology to perform remote surgical procedures.
The theme of the APAGE 26th and IGES 13th Annual Meetings was “Collective Brilliance: Elevating Gynecology Endoscopy through Shared Innovation,” covering various developments in gynaecological endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery, artificial intelligence, vaginal surgery, tumour ablation, and other innovations.
Dr Herbert Situmorang, the surgeon who performed the procedure, confirmed that this was the first remote gynaecological surgery conducted in Indonesia. “This robotic surgery is the first remote gynaecological operation performed in Indonesia. The robotic system technology and internet connectivity used have met the requirements to support the safe execution of remote surgery,” said Herbert.
He added that the success of tele-robotic surgery in the field of gynaecology is part of RSCM’s ongoing efforts to develop minimally invasive and robotic surgical services. Through these developments, the hospital continues to strengthen its role as a national referral centre and an institution that is adaptive to advancements in medical technology.