Celebration Symposium: 100 Cases Completed with Revo-i at Severance Hospital

Since the introduction of the Korean-developed Revo-i surgical robotic system at Severance Hospital in 2023, it has been actively utilised in various surgical procedures, primarily in urology and general surgery, leading to the completion of 100 successful cases.

To commemorate this milestone, a symposium was recently held to share the journey toward achieving 100 cases and key accomplishments. The symposium also highlighted the background and achievements of Revo-i’s adoption in secondary hospitals, along with real-world applications and diverse surgical experiences using the system.

The first session, titled “Complex Robotic Surgery with the Revo-i Robotic Surgical System,” featured presentations by three surgeons from Severance Hospital, with Koon Ho Rha, Director of NAVER Healthcare Research Institute, serving as the session chair. The second session, “Meet the Revo Surgeons,” focused on the adoption and outcomes of the Revo-i system in general hospitals, chaired by Dr. Kang Hyon Song, Director of the Robotic Surgery Center at Korea Cancer Center Hospital. This article provides a summary of the key presentations from the symposium.

Session I : Complex Robotic Surgery with Revo-i Robotic Surgical System

Yonsei Revo-i HBP Surgery, Past, Present, and Future (Prof. Chang-Moo Kang, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine)

On this day, Professor Chang Moo Kang emphasised that Revo-i expands the possibilities of minimally invasive surgery in complex procedures like pancreaticoduodenectomy. He particularly introduced the efficient working environment and increased cosmetic satisfaction achieved through the Reduced Port technique in cholecystectomy, and how the YU&ME collaboration program quickly integrates user feedback for continuous technological improvements.

Furthermore, Professor Kang stressed the potential for the future development of total robotic surgery, where pancreaticoduodenectomy could be performed entirely using Revo-i, from start to finish. He also underscored the importance of spreading this technology through collaboration with medical professionals both domestically and internationally. Severance Hospital has successfully carried out 127 procedures using Revo-i across various specialties (as of December 6, 2024), and based on this, they are contributing to sharing the excellence of the Korean surgical robot system worldwide, aiming to provide better treatment and improved quality of life for patients.

Colorectal Surgery Experience (Professor Byung So Min, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine)

Professor Byung So Min shared his experience with the application of Revo-i in colorectal surgery, as well as the process of its adoption. According to Professor Min, Revo-i has been effectively used in complex surgeries such as low anterior resection (LAR), intersphincteric resection (ISR), and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND). When compared to existing surgical robots, Revo-i demonstrated equivalent clinical outcomes in terms of surgical precision, stability, and recovery process.

Professor Min emphasised the cost-efficiency of Revo-i as its greatest strength. Revo-i offers a competitive advantage with its reasonable cost structure, which can contribute to addressing the issue of rising medical costs and improving healthcare accessibility. Achieving 100 surgeries with Revo-i marks a meaningful milestone for the robotic surgery field, and it is expected that continuous technological advancements and collaborations will provide benefits to even more patients in the future.

Introduction and Practical Use of the Revo-i Surgical System in Urology (Prof. Jongsoo Lee, Department of Urology, Yonsei University College of Medicine)

Professor Jongsoo Lee performed approximately 34 surgeries (as of December 6, 2024), primarily focusing on partial nephrectomy using the Revo-i, confirming its usefulness in kidney surgeries. In kidney cancer surgeries, minimising ischemia time is crucial, and Revo-i demonstrated performance comparable to existing robotic systems. Additionally, the surgery time gradually decreased, with the learning curve being positively evaluated. Notably, Revo-i also showed stable results when precisely excising tumours near the renal artery and vein or applying an off-clamp method without clamping the blood vessels. Furthermore, even in high-difficulty surgeries, such as when kidney cancer metastasised to the inferior vena cava (IVC), Revo-i successfully completed the procedure with precise dissection and excision.

Revo-i is not only a system that competes with existing robots in terms of mechanical performance but also offers a realistic alternative from an economic perspective, considering the hospital’s surgical volume and operational scale. For hospitals with a lower annual surgery count, Revo-i presents a more cost-effective choice compared to expensive robotic systems. Additionally, by attempting new approaches, such as flexibly adjusting the placement of the robotic arms during surgery to adapt to various surgical methods, Revo-i’s potential for broader use is expanding. Based on these experiences, Revo-i is expected to establish itself as a reliable alternative in various fields, including kidney surgery.

Session II : Meet the Revo Surgeons

Experience of Introducing Revo-i at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital (Dr. Jeong-Hwan Son, Head of the Urology Department, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital)

Dr. Jeong-Hwan Son shared the history and key achievements of Revo-i’s introduction at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital. The hospital began discussions on adopting the Revo-i surgical robot in 2023 and made the final decision based on cost-effectiveness and performance stability. After its introduction, the hospital systematically developed training and operational plans, conducting comprehensive training that included various departments capable of laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, as well as surgical support staff. Robotic surgery officially began on June 20, 2024, using existing operating rooms in consideration of the hospital’s operational circumstances.

Over the course of six months, a total of 31 robotic surgeries were performed, with the urology department conducting most surgeries. The program expanded to include colorectal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and thoracic surgery. On average, 7 to 8 surgeries were consistently performed each month, and successful implementation was made possible by the collaboration of various departments within the hospital. Moving forward, the hospital aims to achieve 100 surgeries in the near future and is committed to continuous development.

The Experiences of Surgeries Using Revo-i Surgical System in the Community Hospital (Dr. Jae Seung Kang, Hongik Hospital)

Dr. Jae Seung Kang shared his experience using the Revo-I surgical robot system in a secondary hospital, presenting surgical methods based on actual surgical videos. From January to July 2024, a total of 45 robotic surgeries were performed, with 40 of them being general surgeries. The main procedures included cholecystectomy, extended cholecystectomy, local tumor resection after duodenotomy, and TAPP inguinal hernia surgery.

In particular, for cholecystectomy, a 3-port method was used for simple cases, while a 4-port method was applied for more complex cases such as acute cholecystitis. He emphasised the importance of efficiently utilising the 4 robotic arms during surgery. Additionally, he successfully completed the extended cholecystectomy and local tumour resection after duodenotomy, performing precise dissection and suturing based on the stability of Revo-i. In the video of the extended cholecystectomy, the use of the Revo SONIC ultrasonic scalpel was demonstrated during the liver resection.

He concluded that Revo-i can be effectively applied not only to benign diseases but also to borderline malignant diseases. He also evaluated that with active utilisation of the robotic arms and sufficient training, stable robotic surgeries can be performed even in secondary hospitals.