Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital

Dr. Chae Chun Rhim, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hallym University of Sacred Heart Hospital has successfully completed the 100th surgery using da Vinci robotic surgery system on June 2. It is achieved within just 15 months from the first operation of the system on March 17, 2015. Dr. Rhim performed the highest number of robotic surgery using da Vinci Xi this year in Korea. Dr. Rhim’s operation has resulted high patient satisfaction with relatively short surgical time of 57 minutes.

Hallym University Medical Center presented a plaque to Dr. Rhim on June 13 at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital to appreciate his achievements and efforts.

Chairman Dai-Won Yoon praised the award winner for his significant contribution to the development of Obstetrics & Gynecology Department at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Especially the unrelenting effort and strong will of Dr. Rhim was highly recognized, which led the success of 100th operation with state-of-the-art robotic surgery technology. Enhancing the spirit of ‘Mighty Hallym’, which aim for distinctive excellence, was also mentioned as a reason for the award.

“The prognosis of 100 patients who had robotic surgery showed a positive sign and the patients were very satisfied with the result as well,” Dr. Rhim said. “The robotic surgery is essential in providing the patients with the most elaborate surgery. I will continuously put my best efforts to expand the area where robotic surgery can be applied to and maximize the advantage of laparoscopy, laparotomy and other surgical operations using robotic system,” he added.

Out of 100 operations, a substantial portion was hysterectomy, which was performed 45 times for patients with cervical cancer. Ovarian cyst removal followed next, which was performed 32 times. The ones who had fibroid removal surgery recorded 28 among all patients, which was the largest.

Fibroids, which most commonly occur among women, can compress uterine once they get bigger, which leads to frequent periods and pain, although they do not necessarily have to be removed. They can cause sterility or miscarriage depending on their position or size.

Fibroid removal surgery using da Vinci Xi uses smaller incisions compared to laparotomy, and it makes the elaborate operation possible by preventing hand tremors and minimizing the damage to uterus. Because of these advantages, robotic surgery for fibroids using da Vinci Xi is preferred in various age groups. It’s more of aesthetic reasons for this preference among young patients, whereas less blood loss, short surgical time and quick recovery after the operation are the main reasons among the patients between the age of 40 to 50.

“Uterus is enclosed and protected by the strong bones of the female pelvis,” said Dr. Rhim. “Since a robot can carry out incredibly delicate surgery, robotic surgery for fibroids can reduce the loss of blood and prevent potential complications,” he added.

By Chul Kwon, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (chris@hallym.or.kr)