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Dr. Phan Van Bau – Director of People’s Hospital 115 and Dr. Tran Van Song – Deputy Director of the hospital shared with Tuoi Tre Online about the returning robots – Video: HOANG LOC
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online, Dr. Phan Van Bau, Director of People’s Hospital 115, said: “This is the best robot today, first deployed in the United States, Canada and Switzerland. Used by the fourth country, this robot is used to help us achieve an Asian record for the first time in neurosurgery and, above all, to help many patients preserve their lives and minimize the rate of disability.
Unplug because ineffective
* But why after a “release” period of use, especially with many successful cases, does this robot have to pay?
– It is true that this robot has outstanding advantages to help to see the fibrous structure of the nerve, to guide the doctor to get the tumor with hematoma. Especially during surgery, the patient may not receive anesthesia (provincial surgery) and be discharged from the hospital a few days after surgery.
But not all patients are indicated for robotic surgery. Due to “fear of costs to the patient”, we are unable to perform the number of surgical cases as in the tender plan.
Since the launch of the first successful surgery (2-2019), we have performed more than 30 cases, of which 10 are free.
This means that the hospital does not realize the desire to own this robot (it must meet the number of surgical patients / year).
Since the beginning of 2020, the company repeatedly reminded whether it should increase the number of surgeries, otherwise they would retire the device. And the truth is that in early August 2020 they decided to remove the device.
Dr. Phan Van Bau, director of the 115 People’s Hospital, explains the reason for the return of the robot – Photo: HOANG LOC
* So, when deciding to hire this robot, the hospital didn’t foresee all the “downturn”?
– It’s not like that. We have to consider the economy of the patient, because not everyone can pay for the surgery. In fact, if the patient is economical, this robot’s surgery is number 1.
We have people who are tech savvy and sometimes I just hope having a unit or person dedicated to helping the hospital get this robot (rather than return it) is just too big. With this, we will dedicate our efforts to saving the lives of many patients, including providing free surgery for the poor.
* The fact is that there are many patients who need surgery. However, as you said, would it be difficult for the sick person without a robot?
– This is really very unfortunate. Because research shows that brain hemorrhage greater than 60ml, the mortality rate is greater than 90%, but when there are surgical robots, the mortality rate is reduced. Therefore, the absence of a robot certainly greatly affects the results of the treatment, and the patient must suffer. For a temporary “fire suppression” we have a tumor locator, but the bundles of nerve fibers cannot be detected.
Do not damage state property
Brain tumor surgery performed by doctors at People’s Hospital 115 – Photo: provided by People’s Hospital 115
* On what plan is this Synaptive Modus V robot contracted, sir?
– This is the first equipment with a high cost, so before deciding to bring it back, we see the possible financial risks, maintenance problems, human users … decide the plan to request the rental of the machine, and be approved by the superior. All processes are carried out through open bidding.
When contracting, the hospital sets the maximum price and the companies bid, all damages are incurred by the company. In a period of 4-5 years, if a sufficient number of diseases is guaranteed, this device belongs to the hospital.
Until now, I realized that the application of the robot only benefits, does not lose (doctors learn a new technology, reach Asian records and save the lives of many patients).
* After the negative incident in Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) and not excluded, it happened in some other hospitals. With the hospital’s history of hiring and returning robots, is there a downside?
– The application of robotics and artificial intelligence is an inevitable trend in the treatment of diseases. However, under current conditions, with a public hospital like us, if you spend several tens of billions to buy, you will be under economic pressure, then you will have to do enough to compensate. That is why we are very cautious.
I affirm that when using the hiring plan, all the procedures are in accordance with the regulations, and it is the safest way economically without damaging the property to the state. So far the government has not spent a penny.
Mainly at the service of the sick, without words.
In Ho Chi Minh City, there are the Cho Ray and Binh Dan hospitals, which invest in the Da Vinci robot for around 71 billion VND, in the form of a stimulus loan.
With this type of robot, Binh Dan Hospital can apply surgery to 14 diseases, the price fluctuates around 100 million VND (depending on the disease).
Dr. Tran Vinh Hung, director of Binh Dan Hospital, said that this robot is relatively popular around the world (6,000 machines, 65% in the US). So far, after almost 4 years, the unit has operated around 1,200 cases.
Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, director of Cho Ray Hospital, stated that with the application of various diseases, the Da Vinci robot that the hospital is using is promoting good results. However, the costs of the surgery are uniform, not profitable.
“Mainly enough to maintain and maintain the equipment to care for the patient. The hospital has absolutely no public-private robotic cooperation. I confirm that there are no agencies working with the hospital. Robots and previously concluded that the inspection made no mistake.” Thuc said.
