A 52-year-old patient with multiple large fibroids has undergone successful robotic surgery at FV Hospital. The procedure not only removed the pathology but also preserved the uterus, a result that is often difficult to achieve at this age.
The patient was discharged after just 48 hours. What surprised the patient most was that the pain had almost entirely vanished only a day after the operation.
Multiple large tumours, high risk of total hysterectomy
Ms N.T.T.N (52, from Ho Chi Minh City) came to FV Hospital suffering from a dull, persistent stomach pain that had lasted for months. Her CT scan results were worrying: her uterus contained several tumours (fibroids) of various sizes.
“There were two large tumours (measuring 8 cm and 7 cm) along with many smaller ones scattered throughout the uterus. These were the cause of the patient’s chronic pain and sudden, severe flare-ups,” explained Dr Robert Marie Riché, PhD a gynaecology surgery expert at FV Hospital.
For patients in their 50s, the most common treatment is usually a total hysterectomy (removing the entire uterus). However, because Ms N. expressed a strong wish to keep her organs, Dr Robert François Marie Riché, PhD decided to take a more challenging path: removing only the fibroids to preserve the uterus as much as possible for the patient.
Patient’s feedback: “Robotic Surgery was even better than I imagined!”
Dr Robert Riché, PhD – a French consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in Vietnam – performed the procedure himself, assisted by the da Vinci Xi, a leading surgical robot in Southeast Asia..
Dr Robert Marie Riché, PhD (centre) and the surgical team performing the operation using the da Vinci Xi robotic system. (Photo: FV)
The operation proceeded smoothly. The robotic arms, with their flexible ability to extend, fold, and rotate 540 degrees, allowed the doctor to remove tumours from every corner of the uterus – a major advantage over traditional open or laparoscopic surgery. “With the robot, I can enlarge the images, adjust my view, and operate with precision down to the millimetre. This helps to minimise difficulties and increase accuracy throughout the procedure,” Dr Riché explained.
Only two days after the surgery, the patient was stable enough to be discharged. Ms N. happily shared that the results were “beyond expectations,” as she felt almost no pain after the first day: “Even though the doctor explained the benefits of this minimally invasive method, the reality was even better than I imagined. After the robotic surgery, I felt completely recovered!”
The patient expresses her joy to Dr Riché as her health recovered unexpectedly quickly after the surgery. (Photo: FV)
This was the first robotic gynaecological surgery performed at FV, conducted under the direct supervision of Associate Professor Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh, MD, PhD – Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery Unit at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (USA). He spoke very highly of the surgeon’s skill and the seamless coordination of the entire team.
“The surgical team worked very professionally and in perfect harmony. The operating theatre meets high standards, and the modern equipment is perfectly suited for robotic surgery. When compared to centres in the US, I don’t see much difference,” he noted.
da Vinci robotic surgery: The new gold standard for gynaecological treatment
Dr Robert François Marie Riché, PhD states that with the rapid advancement of technology and the outstanding benefits for patients, robotic surgery is expected to become a routine treatment option for everything from endometriosis to gynaecological cancers.
“Robotic surgery increases the chances of preserving reproductive function compared to traditional methods. The surgical process is gentler, recovery is fast, and hospital stays can be shortened to just one or two days. Many complex cases that previously required open surgery can now be performed using the robot,” Dr Riché explained.
The modern da Vinci Xi robotic system in the operating theatre at FV Hospital. (Photo: FV)
At the FV da Vinci Robotic Surgery Centre, this technology is applied across several specialities:
- Thoracic Surgery: Lung cancer, mediastinal tumours, thymus tumours, and oesophageal surgery.
- Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreatic Surgery: Gastrectomy, colorectal resection, liver resection, and pancreatic resection.
- Urology: Prostatectomy, nephrectomy (kidney removal), and bladder resection.
- Gynaecology: Hysterectomy, treatment for endometriosis, removal of uterine fibroids, and treatment for gynaecological cancers.
FV Hospital is currently offering a 40 million VND discount for the first 50 da Vinci Xi robotic surgeries during this initial launch phase. This offer is available from now until 15 June 2026. Health insurance benefits and 0% interest instalment plans are also available. For more information, please visit FV Hospital at No. 06 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, or contact (028) 3511 3333.
