Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital Performs 300 Single-Port Robotic Surgeries with 'Da Vinci SP' in Two Years

Achieving Results in Breast and Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Professor Yongmin Na, Department of Endocrine Surgery at Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, is performing breast cancer surgery using the 'Da Vinci SP'. Provided by Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital

The Department of Endocrine Surgery at Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital is achieving stable results in breast and thyroid cancer surgeries using the state-of-the-art, fourth-generation single-port robotic surgical device, the 'Da Vinci SP'. In particular, the successful establishment of single-port surgery-which minimizes scarring and accelerates recovery-is being credited with supporting qualitative growth in the hospital’s medical services.

According to Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital on January 5, since introducing the Da Vinci SP in December 2023-the first in the Chungcheong and Honam regions-the hospital has actively expanded the scope of robotic surgeries. For thyroid surgeries, the Da Vinci SP system allows both the camera and robotic arms to enter through a single incision of about 2.5 cm, offering higher cosmetic satisfaction and less physical burden for patients compared to the conventional method that required multiple incisions.

For breast surgeries, a total mastectomy can be performed through a single incision of about 5 cm. In the Department of Endocrine Surgery, immediate reconstruction using implants is also conducted for breast cancer patients.

The technical advantages of the Da Vinci SP are demonstrated by concrete figures. The annual number of robotic surgeries performed by the Department of Endocrine Surgery increased significantly from 100 cases in 2024 to 169 cases last year. Since the introduction of the Da Vinci SP, the cumulative number of single-port surgeries has approached 300, showing a continued upward trend.

This achievement is the result of the medical team, including Professor Park Minho, Head of the Department of Endocrine Surgery, performing breast and thyroid cancer surgeries with the Da Vinci SP in a stable manner, thereby proving the accuracy of these procedures.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital is the only institution in the Honam region to possess both the 'Da Vinci SP' and 'Da Vinci Xi', thereby establishing a customized surgical environment tailored to each patient's condition. This provides a crucial foundation for local patients to receive specialized robotic surgery treatment nearby, without having to travel long distances to the Seoul metropolitan area.

The Department of Endocrine Surgery has already built extensive clinical experience by performing 15 surgeries in 2023 and 11 surgeries in 2025 using the Da Vinci Xi.

Professor Park Minho stated, "Based on the safety confirmed with the existing Da Vinci Xi, we are expanding the use of the Da Vinci SP, which is effective in shortening operation time and speeding up recovery. We will do our best to provide better treatment outcomes and increase patient satisfaction through highly sophisticated robotic surgeries that require advanced techniques."

Hospital Director Min Jeongjun said, "Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, which has secured both precision and patient convenience in the field of complex cancer surgeries, will continue to strengthen its robotic surgery capabilities going forward."