Korea University Ansan Hospital Robotic Surgery Center is the first tertiary hospital in Gyeonggi Province to introduce the latest robotic surgery system, “Da Vinci 5,” further strengthening its precision surgery capabilities. On March 3, 2026, Professor Song Tae Jin of the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery successfully performed the first surgery using this system, a robotic cholecystectomy on a patient with cholecystitis.
Since introducing robotic surgery in 2015, the center has steadily expanded its clinical applications across multiple specialties, including general surgery, urology, gynecology, and plastic surgery. By 2025, the cumulative number of robotic surgeries will exceed 4,000, solidifying its position as a major regional hub for robotic surgeries in southwestern Gyeonggi-do.
The center recently expanded its surgical facilities and added three new operating rooms. The introduction of the Da Vinci 5 system strategically redistributed the existing Da Vinci Xi and Da Vinci SP systems across an expanded suite, establishing a comprehensive multi-platform robotic surgical infrastructure running three different systems.
The newly introduced Da Vinci 5 system incorporates force feedback, allowing surgeons to perceive tactile forces transmitted through surgical instruments, allowing for more precise control of the pressure applied to tissue. Its advanced visualization capabilities enable high-resolution, realistic 3D imaging to enhance the identification of microscopic blood vessels and neural structures. In addition, the surgeon’s console has an ergonomic design that reduces physical strain during long surgeries. The hospital expects these technological and design advances will significantly improve the accuracy and safety of robotic surgery.
Meanwhile, the center’s surgeons continue to expand their global presence through the development of innovative robotic surgical techniques. Professor Chang Min Lee of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery received international recognition for introducing transumbilical lymphadenectomy (TULAB) for advanced gastric cancer using a joint energy device, the results of which were published in 2016. cancer (2023).
Professor Jae Hyun Bae of the Department of Urology developed an air injection technique for vesicovaginal fistula repair using the Da Vinci SP system. By creating a balloon-like surgical space within the bladder, this technology enhances visualization, facilitates more precise surgical manipulation, and contributes to improved surgical outcomes. This innovation established him as a leading expert in this technically demanding field.
Professor Young Woo Chang, Department of Breast Endocrine Surgery, has developed internationally recognized GOSTA (Insufflation One-Step Single-Port Transaxillary Approach) for robotic thyroid cancer surgery. Based on its clinical excellence, the center has been designated a center of excellence for single-port GOSTA robotic surgery by Intuitive Surgical Korea and serves as a global hub for training and dissemination of this technology.
With the introduction of Da Vinci 5, we have established a comprehensive multi-platform robotic surgical system that includes Xi, SP, and latest generation platforms. This will enable the optimal selection of surgical systems tailored to the characteristics of each individual patient, and is expected to support more accurate and systematic treatment, especially in surgeries for cancer and complex diseases. ”
Professor Chan Min Lee, Director of Robotic Surgery Center
Dong Hoon Seo, director of Korea University Ansan Hospital, added, “The adoption of da Vinci 5 is not just an expansion of equipment, but also represents a strategic step toward improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. Based on our accumulated experience and innovative surgical technology, we will continue to provide world-class high-precision robotic surgery.”
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Korea University School of Medicine
