First robotic surgery at Surrey Memorial Hospital removes lung tumour successfully

Surrey Memorial Hospital has completed its first robotic-assisted surgical procedure, marking a major milestone for patients across the region seeking advanced, minimally invasive care.

On June 23, surgical teams successfully performed the hospital's first robotic-assisted procedure using the da Vinci Xi system. The patient—a 55-year-old woman—had a lung tumour removed and is now recovering. "The surgery went well and we were able to remove a tumour using minimally invasive techniques," said Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi, the regional division head and chief of thoracic surgery for Fraser Health, who led the procedure.

The da Vinci Xi system allows surgeons to operate from two control consoles within the operating room, performing exact movements with delicate precision and optimal visualization. Robotic instruments are steadier than a human hand, and surgeons get magnified 3D views while remaining in complete control. "With the robot we can make smaller incisions, so patients experience less pain and scarring and have better recoveries," Dr. Ashrafi added.

Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and thoracic surgeries (lung, chest, esophagus, and stomach) are the first procedures to benefit from the new technology. Patients previously referred outside Fraser Health for these surgeries will now be able to receive their care at Surrey Memorial Hospital, reducing stress on patients and their families.

Fraser Health CEO Dermot Kelly called the launch "another step forward in advancing innovation and modernizing health care." The Surrey Hospitals Foundation raised $4.5 million from donors to bring the technology to the region. Surrey Memorial Hospital is one of the busiest surgical centres in the province, with 79 surgeons performing 18,600 surgeries last year.