Athens Medical Group: 14 years of medical pioneering in Robotic Surgery
This year marks 14 years since the first robotic surgery, which was performed in Greece, at the Athens Medical Center, marking the beginning of a new era for Medicine in the country, with exceptional scientific results and significant benefits for patients. patients.
This revolutionary method was first applied by Dr. Konstantinos Konstantinidis, MD, PhD, FACS, Scientific Director, Director of General, Bariatric, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery Clinic, Athens Medical Center, Adjunct Professor of Surgery, Ohio State University, USA, Honorary President of the Greek Section of the American College of Surgeons, Secretary of the World Scientific Society of Robotic Surgery CRSA, Member of the International Board of Directors of SRS, sealing the commitment of the Athens Medical Group to constantly invest in new cutting-edge technologies and in scientific pioneering and innovation.
It should be noted that since 2006, when Robotic surgery was first performed in Greece, at the Athens Medical Group, more than 8,500 robotic surgeries in general surgery, urology, gynecology and pediatric surgery have been performed.
At the same time, world firsts have been achieved, such as the first robotic single-incision cholecystectomy, robotic single-incision hemi-colectomy, robotic diaphragmatic repair for gastroesophageal reflux, robotic single-incision varicocele repair, robotic pericardial cyst removal, robotic single-incision vaultoplasty, single-incision renal cyst removal and single-incision hysterectomy, as well as Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures.
Additionally, trained physicians of the Group supported many scientific groups as official robotics trainers, in Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, France, Latvia, Thailand and the United Kingdom, while they also participated in official online seminars.
Three (3) Da Vinci Robotic Systems operate at Athens Medical Group, including the most modern robotic surgery system, da Vinci Xi HD, 2019 version, specially ordered for the Athens Medical Center. This particular system has advanced capabilities related to excellent three-dimensional vision and the flexibility of surgical instruments, while also offering new important features in the field of ergonomics and imaging.
The integration of the “firefly” technology (ICG) is particularly important for checking the good blood circulation of the organs, the complex anatomy of the bile vessels of the liver, the localization of the lymph nodes, but also for avoiding blood loss and intraoperative complications. It also has its own stapling tools that facilitate complex intestinal surgeries for anastomoses to avoid colostomy, large and difficult hiatal hernias and all oncological surgeries. In this way, the need for open surgeries is almost eliminated, except in rare cases.
Additionally, it provides intraoperative navigation, which is particularly important since by projecting imaging examinations, such as CT scans, within the surgical field (tile pro), we know, in real time, the exact location of the lesion, better defining the anatomy. The flexibility of its arms and the ability to perform manipulations in very narrow spaces facilitates surgeons in complex oncological operations.
The robotic departments of the Athens Medical Group constitute international centers of reference and excellence and collaborate with University institutions in Greece and abroad. Among others, the Clinic of General, Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Robotic Surgery of the Athens Medical Center, under the Direction of Dr. K. Konstantinidis is recognized and accredited as a Global Center of Excellence for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). At the same time, the doctors of the robotic departments are scientific members of leading educational organizations around the world, such as the Urology School of IRCAD (Research Institute against Digestive Cancer) of the University Hospital of Strasbourg, which is considered the best robotic – laparoscopic urology “school”, the reference and training center, ORSI Academy Belgium (Robotic Training Center and Pediatric Robotic Training Center), as well as the Southeastern European conferences (International Workshop in Robotic Surgery for Southeastern Europe) and the pan-European conferences of the European Urological Association (EAU – HOT Robotic Courses).
On the occasion of the completion of 14 years of Robotic Surgery in Greece, by the Athens Medical Group, Dr. Konstantinos Konstantinidis, stated: “The Athens Medical Group is part of the developments, internationally, as all the latest achievements of medical science are applied in its clinics. Continuous investments in medical equipment, combined with continuous education, enable us to offer, to thousands of patients, high-level medical services, comparable to those of the best hospitals abroad. We are particularly happy that our team is completing fourteen years of implementing the most ambitious and innovative program of the 21st century in the field of surgery, which was first introduced in Greece by the Athens Medical Group. In this context, the Group continues to provide us with the opportunity to use robotic technology, allowing us to pioneer internationally and to feel proud to offer the best to the patients who have trusted us all these years, counting thousands of successful procedures and important awards at international conferences.
