Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II – Head of Urology at FV Hospital, who brings 30 years of experience to the field – notes that colleagues in the US and South Korea have now transitioned to robotic-assisted surgery for all urological procedures, ranging from the routine to the highly complex. He hopes that with the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical technology now being extensively utilised at FV, urology patients will have the opportunity to enjoy a significantly better quality of life post-surgery.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II – Head of Urology at FV Hospital and expert in da Vinci Xi robotic surgery

Restoring quality of life through surgical precision

Dr Do Quang Minh entered the field of Urology in 1998, a time when the specialty in Vietnam was still in its early stages, held back by a lack of both advanced equipment and medical references. Witnessing the severe physical pain endured by his patients, he became determined to use every resource available to him to help them return to a normal life.

“It is hard to describe the utter misery of patients suffering from chronic urinary retention, painful urination, or haematuria (blood in the urine). Many were so distressed and despondent they felt they would rather die, especially those facing a grim prognosis from various urological cancers. I was determined that my patients should not have to endure such a poor quality of life,” he recalls of his early career ambitions.

Having built his experience at the “proving ground” of Cho Ray Hospital through thousands of complex cases, Dr Minh’s career has mirrored the evolution of urology. As one of the first doctors to use laparoscopic techniques in the early 2000s, he has remained a lifelong learner, constantly seeking to bring the most advanced technologies, such as the da Vinci Xi Robot, into clinical practice.

For Dr Minh, a successful operation is defined not only by the removal of pathology but also by the maximum preservation of the patient’s quality of life. He is exceptionally meticulous with every incision and suture to ensure physiological function remain intact—a goal that robotic surgical technology now helps urologists achieve with near-absolute precision.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II has served as the Head of Urology at FV Hospital since 2016 

According to Dr Minh, the success of a complex surgical procedure depends on more than just the surgeon’s skill; it is the result of seamless coordination between multiple departments: from the anaesthesia and intensive care team and sterile theatre environments to the post-operative care system. FV Hospital provides the rigorous conditions necessary for this synergy. This was a key factor in Dr Minh’s decision to join FV as Head of Urology in 2016, shortly after the hospital first achieved its JCI accreditation. While the environment at FV is challenging, it provides the constant motivation he needs to refine his expertise and seek out superior treatment methods for his patients.

The da Vinci Xi Robot: A ‘medical masterpiece’ raising the standard of urological surgery

The year 2026 marks a major milestone for FV Hospital with the official launch of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system. Dr Minh’s Urology Department is among the first specialties at FV to adopt this robotic technology for patient treatment.

The da Vinci Xi is one of the world’s most advanced robotic platforms, allowing surgeons to control robotic arms with extreme precision. Its high-definition 3D camera system magnifies the surgical site many times over, while the robotic arms offer 540-degree flexibility and absolute stability (anti-shake). Complex stitching and connections in deep, narrow spaces—historically a huge challenge in urology—can now be performed more simply, quickly, and with incredible accuracy.

Dr Do Quang Minh speaks about robotic surgery with particular enthusiasm, viewing it as a massive leap forward in treating complex urological conditions.

“The da Vinci surgical robot was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 25 years ago, and one of the first fields where it was successfully used was prostate surgery—an extremely deep and narrow anatomical area, and arguably the most complex operation in urology,” Dr Minh explains.

After years of anticipation, he is now at the helm of this “medical masterpiece,” successfully tackling challenging cases. Following extensive training and clinical observation at robotic surgery centres across Southeast Asia, Dr Minh has earned his international certification in robotic surgery. Alongside many fellow urologists, he believes the da Vinci Xi offers life-changing benefits for patients with complex conditions:

• Prostate Cancer: The robot enables incredibly delicate suturing between the bladder and urethra within the narrow pelvis, helping to preserve urinary control and sexual function.
• Bladder Cancer: Rather than patients having to use a urostomy bag for life, the robot allows surgeons to remove the diseased bladder and create a new one from the intestine through small incisions, with stitches that are more precise and faster than previous methods.
• Kidney-Sparing Tumour Removal: The robot assists in the precise removal of deep-seated tumours, allowing the surgeon to save as much healthy kidney tissue as possible.
• Reconstructive Renal and Ureteral Surgery: Magnified 3D imaging allows for the reconstruction of the urinary tract with millimetre-level precision.

Improving patient quality of life through robotic technology

Dr Minh notes that colleagues in the US and South Korea have already transitioned to robotic surgery – replacing traditional open and laparoscopic surgery—for all urological procedures, from the routine to the highly complex. He hopes that with robotic surgical technology, patients at FV will have the opportunity to enjoy a significantly better quality of life after their operation.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, examining a patient

Despite having a world-class “assistant” at his side, Dr Minh still believes: “The robot is a modern tool. However, the soul of any operation remains the treatment strategy and the empathy of the doctor.” Every precise cut or delicate stitch made by the robot is guided by the surgeon’s experience and strategic approach.

For an expert with “golden hands” who has spent over three decades in the operating theatre, having technology that enables more accurate incisions, finer suturing, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery is more than just technical support. It is a significant step forward in bringing urological surgery closer to the goal of providing complete, life-preserving care for every patient.