In urology, conditions such as prostate cancer, kidney cancer and ureteropelvic junction obstruction are often referred to as “silent” diseases. They pose a serious threat to life while also significantly affecting quality of life, particularly through disturbances of urinary and sexual function.

When the Urinary System Signals: Risks That Should Not Be Overlooked

Urological diseases often present with non-specific symptoms such as nocturia, changes in urine colour, or a dull, persistent flank pain. These signs are easily overlooked, and many patients may miss the critical early stages of malignancy. Without timely intervention, cancer can progress silently, invading adjacent structures or metastasising to bone, which significantly complicates management and treatment.

Historically, open surgery aimed at radical tumour clearance has been associated with considerable morbidity. Although conventional laparoscopy represented a meaningful advance by reducing invasiveness and improving recovery, it remains limited by visual depth and restricted instrument manoeuvrability. These constraints can make it challenging to achieve optimal oncological clearance while preserving delicate anatomical structures, particularly in technically demanding regions such as the pelvis, renal hilum and deep abdominal lymphatic chains.

As a result, patients may experience significant postoperative complications, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or chronic kidney impairment related to inadequate preservation of functional renal tissue.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II: Pursuing a Strategy of Maximal Healthy Tissue Preservation in Surgery

At FV Hospital, complex urological procedures are led by Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of Urology, whose practice is shaped by more than three decades of clinical experience. His approach is underpinned by a strong foundation in internal medicine, supporting careful patient selection, accurate staging and meticulous perioperative optimisation.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of Urology, FV Hospital.

A strong foundation in Internal Medicine enables surgeons such as Dr Do Quang Minh to accurately stage diseases, manage comorbidities effectively and optimise patients prior to surgery. This systemic approach supports precise and appropriate surgical decision-making, prioritising long-term health preservation rather than simple excision.

Da Vinci Xi Surgical System: Enabling Precision in Complex Surgery

While Dr Minh’s expertise provides the strategic direction, the Da Vinci Xi Robotic System at FV serves as a highly refined surgical platform and an ideal assistant in executing the most sophisticated treatment strategies:

• Prostate Cancer: The 3D camera, with 10 to 15 times magnification, enables Dr Minh to clearly visualise every tissue layer. The robotic system facilitates tumour dissection in deep, narrow spaces without damaging surrounding nerves, thereby helping to preserve sexual function and urinary continence for male patients.
• Kidney Cancer: Instead of a total nephrectomy, Dr Minh leverages the system’s precision to perform a partial nephrectomy, removing the tumour while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. This approach helps patients reduce the long-term risk of chronic kidney disease and potential dialysis dependence.
• Pyeloplasty (Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction): The da Vinci Xi system enables meticulous microsurgical suturing in cases of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, reconstructing the passage between the kidney and bladder. This supports optimal urinary flow and reduces the risk of restenosis, with a level of precision that is difficult to achieve through traditional surgery.

Da Vinci Xi Robot: The “Ultimate Ally” in Complex Urological Surgeries

Reflecting on the synergy between advanced technology and a philosophy of healing, Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, shared: ‘Technology provides exceptional vision and flexibility, but it is surgical experience and a deep understanding of the patient’s aspirations that guide me in determining precisely at which millimetre to stop. This precision preserves vital life functions and helps patients recover as quickly as possible to return to a fulfilling life.’

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, conducting a clinical examination for a patient.

The combination of Dr Do Quang Minh’s expertise and the Da Vinci Xi Robotic technology at FV delivers clear clinical benefits: smaller incisions, minimal blood loss, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays, helping to optimise treatment outcomes. At FV, every procedure is conducted within a JCI-accredited international care framework, ensuring rigorous patient safety standards from admission and pre-anaesthesia assessment through to anaesthesia, surgery and postoperative intensive care.

Please contact Urology & Andrology Department, FV Hospital for consultation on robotic surgery in urology at: (028) 3511 3333