The da Vinci surgical robot operates during a surgery at No 1 Hospital of Shanxi Medical University on May 12. [Photo/sxrb.com]

The No 1 Hospital of Shanxi Medical University used its da Vinci surgical robot in a urology surgery in Taiyuan on May 12, marking the beginning of robotic surgeries in Shanxi province.

The surgical robot designed by Intuitive Surgical, a company based in the United States, helps facilitate complex surgery in a minimally invasive way. It is made up of a surgeon console, patient-side cart, an "endowrist" instrument and a vision system.

A surgeon can control the instruments attached to robotic arms while watching the procedure in 3D high definition.

"The biggest advantage of robotic surgery is precision in manipulation, resection and suture, which can improve the efficacy of operations," said Wang Dongwen, director of the department of urology at the hospital.

The latest generation of da Vinci surgical robotic equipment at the hospital is the first one introduced to Shanxi and the 66th in China.

This surgical tool has been used in several areas, such as urology, otolaryngology and cardiology, due to the smaller incision required and lower recovery time.