Cover In 2014, the Da Vinci XI surgical system transformed the field of robotic surgery, merging state-of-the-art technology with remarkable accuracy (Photo: Getty Images)
In 2014, the Da Vinci XI surgical system transformed the field of robotic surgery, merging state-of-the-art technology with remarkable accuracy (Photo: Getty Images)
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AI, robotic surgeries and medical apps. When it comes to technology, the best is truly ahead of us. In this article, surgeons tell us more about its promise and role in reshaping healthcare in the Philippines
As some would argue, a man’s influence is measured by the extent to which human achievement is owed to him—braille to Louis Braille, the saxophone to Adolphe Sax, the Heimlich Maneuver to Henry Heimlich. In this tradition, the Da Vinci XI surgical system takes its name from the Renaissance thinker synonymous with science and art—though its implications are firmly anchored in the future.
Makati Medical Center recently hosted a media session offering an up-close look at this advanced surgical robot named, quite aptly, after the “Father of Anatomy.” Da Vinci’s contributions to anatomical study, mechanical innovation and automation are echoed in the system’s remarkable ability to perform delicate procedures with extraordinary precision. With four robotic arms, it even calls to mind his iconic “Vitruvian Man”—a drawing that captures the ideal proportions of the human form.
In 2014, the Da Vinci XI transformed the field of minimally invasive surgery. Unlike traditional open procedures, which involve large incisions and longer recovery periods, this robotic-assisted system allows surgeons to operate through small, keyhole-sized openings, lowering the risk of infection and enabling faster healing.
While its sleek, console-like appearance may resemble something out of a science fiction film, the technology is already at work in the Philippines. St Luke’s Medical Center and Makati Medical Center acquired the latest Da Vinci XI in 2024, placing them among the early adopters in Southeast Asia.
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Above Physicians remind, "robots will not take over the surgery" (Photo: Getty Images)
Physicians remind, "robots will not take over the surgery" (Photo: Getty Images)
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Surgeons from Makati Medical Center say that technology signals more than novelty. It offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of surgical care.
Since robotic surgery was introduced, it has steadily gained ground for its precision and improved outcomes. Around the world, patients have come forward with stories of how such procedures have changed their lives.
Mark Hernandez, 45, was one such case. Diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, he faced a daunting list of potential complications, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Concerned about the trauma of a large surgical incision, he opted for robotic-assisted surgery instead.
“I’m a young guy, and I was very concerned that prostate cancer surgery would leave me feeling like an old man,” he said in an interview. He is now cancer-free and, by his account, free of side effects—a recovery he credits to the less invasive nature of the procedure.
Vonnie Jones, who underwent robotic surgery for a prolapse at Loma Linda University Medical Centre in California, shared a similar experience. First diagnosed in 2012 after losing control of her bladder, she describes the decision to undergo robotic surgery as one of the best she’s made. Discharged a day after the procedure, she recalls a recovery so smooth it felt anticlimactic. Her story highlights what many surgeons now consider one of the system’s major advantages: the ability to return patients to their lives more quickly.
Debunking Myths
Above In this article, experts from Makati Medical Center tell us why the Da Vinci XI is the future of medical technology
Concerns about robots replacing human jobs may be a recurring theme in dystopian fiction, but in the operating room, such fears are misplaced. While it’s easy to imagine a future where machines run the show, doctors reassure us that in robotic surgeries, humans are firmly in control.
“We are already performing about 10 to 12 robotic surgeries a month here in Makati Medical Center,” says Dr Jaime Songco, surgery department chair and urologic oncologist. In St Luke’s, more than 2,000 robotic procedures were done in the last decade.
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Above Experts from Makati Medical Center explain what Da Vinci XI robotic system can do and why it's the future of open surgeries in the Philippines (Photo: Jove Moya)
Experts from Makati Medical Center explain what Da Vinci XI robotic system can do and why it's the future of open surgeries in the Philippines (Photo: Jove Moya)
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While it’s easy to imagine a future where machines run the show, doctors reassure us that in robotic surgeries, humans are firmly in control.
Rather than acting autonomously, the Da Vinci XI functions as support. “These instruments function like an extension of the surgeon’s wrists, allowing them to rotate and move with great precision,” explains Dr Jennifer Marie Jose, a robotic gynecology surgeon. “It is still the surgeon, and their team, who performs the surgeries. The robot is merely a tool.”
Dr Saturnino Javier, Makati Medical Center’s medical director, frames the topic in terms of a broader, and less visible, benefit: time. “When comparing robotic surgery to open surgery, one key factor to consider is the ‘time price’. It is the value of things that can’t be easily quantified in monetary terms, like productivity. How soon can the patient get back to work? The short recovery time allows patients to return to their daily activities more quickly and resume their full functional state sooner.”
“This faster recovery leads to increased productivity, which helps offset the initial investment in the robotic platform,” he adds.
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Above Robotic gynecology surgeon Dr Jennifer Marie Jose explains the advantages of Da Vinci XI robotic surgery (Photo: Jove Moya)
Robotic gynecology surgeon Dr Jennifer Marie Jose explains the advantages of Da Vinci XI robotic surgery (Photo: Jove Moya)
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Compared to those who undergo traditional open surgeries, patients treated using the Da Vinci XI system typically stay in the hospital for up to five days. By contrast, laparoscopic surgery patients remain for three to seven days, while those who opt for open surgery often face a recovery period of seven to 10 days in the hospital.
The difference is even more striking when it comes to returning to daily life. Patients recovering from open surgery generally need two to three months before resuming normal activities. Those who undergo laparoscopic procedures may return in around three weeks. Robotic surgery patients, meanwhile, generally return to their routines within one to two weeks.
Above The recovery of patients who have undergone Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is relatively faster (Photo: Jove Moya)
The recovery of patients who have undergone Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is relatively faster (Photo: Jove Moya)
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The short recovery time with robotic surgery allows patients to return to their daily activities more quickly and resume their full functional state sooner
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery share common principles, as both are minimally invasive techniques that utilise small incisions, a camera and specialised instruments. However, the key distinction lies in the level of technology involved.
The former is performed manually. A surgeon inserts a thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) and instruments through small incisions in the abdomen, guided by a two-dimensional video feed. The tools are operated directly by hand, and the surgeon relies on their dexterity and hand-eye coordination to carry out the procedure.
Robotic surgery, by contrast, places the surgeon at a console, where they operate remotely using robotic arms guided by a three-dimensional camera. The system enhances visibility and precision, allowing for finer movements and access to areas that might be difficult to reach with conventional techniques.
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Robotic vs Laparoscopic Surgery
Above The Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is less invasive (Photo: Jove Moya)
The Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is less invasive (Photo: Jove Moya)
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Dr Catherine Teh, a hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon and the first Asian woman accepted into the esteemed surgical society Les Compagnons Hépato-Biliaires, recalls her early training with a sense of perspective. She credits both laparoscopic and robotic platforms with helping her become a better practitioner.
Above Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery expert Dr Catherine Teh tells us how experienced surgeons like her could benefit from the Da Vinci XI technology (Photo: Jove Moya)
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery expert Dr Catherine Teh tells us how experienced surgeons like her could benefit from the Da Vinci XI technology (Photo: Jove Moya)
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“As a trainee, I never fully understood what the anatomy was because the surgeon’s head was in the way. I was just holding something—I could not see the view,” she recalls. “But with laparoscopy, even though we still couldn’t see directly, we had a clear view because of the screen. With a large monitor, everyone in the room was on the same page. We could all follow what was happening, identifying even the smallest nerves and vessels,” she says.
That shared visual clarity, she says, aids understanding. “So this, in turn, makes them better surgeons. Whether it is done robotically, laparoscopically or through open surgery, anatomy is key.”
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Communicating Risks
Concerns around robotic surgery often centre on risk—an unavoidable element in any surgical procedure. But physicians argue that robotic platforms allow the whole room to learn together, creating a calmer, more focused environment in the operating theatre.
Open surgeries, they note, may be more susceptible to complications, particularly when the medical team is under pressure. Robotic procedures, by contrast, offer a degree of consistency that can reduce stress for the surgeon and improve situational awareness for everyone present.
Importantly, doctors emphasise that robotic systems are not a shortcut to expertise. A robotic surgeon must first be an experienced open surgeon before using robots like the Da Vinci XI. “Most of the surgeons in Makati Medical Center, for example, have been in practice for more than 20 years. And our collective experience with robotics goes back at least 14 to 15 years. So we are confident in managing the risks, but we also recognise that no procedure is ever completely without it,” says Dr Songco.
The Future of Surgery
Above For many experts, the Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is the future of medical health (Photo: Getty Images)
For many experts, the Da Vinci XI robotic surgery is the future of medical health (Photo: Getty Images)
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For Filipino health professionals, the future of medical health lies in our ability to seamlessly integrate newly discovered technologies with traditional practices. The promise of robotics lies not in replacing what came before but in improving the care they can deliver.
“This technology ushers in a new era of precision,” says Dr Javier. “That’s the first key advantage. The second is its minimally invasive nature. Unlike open surgery, robotic platforms allow us to operate with the smallest incisions possible.” It is, as he puts it, a future already within reach.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
