PEOPLE in Surrey and across the region now have greater access to advanced, minimally invasive surgical care, following the first robotic-assisted procedure at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

On June 23, surgical teams successfully performed the hospital’s first robotic-assisted procedure using the da Vinci Xi system, marking an important milestone for patients, families, and care teams.

“The launch of Fraser Health’s regional robotics surgery program at Surrey Memorial Hospital gives patients access to proven technology that enhances their recovery and gets them back to their families and everyday lives,” says Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This significant milestone is another step we are taking to strengthen health services in Surrey to ensure people can access the care and supports they need.”

The first 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,” says Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi, the regional division head and chief of thoracic surgery for Fraser Health, who led the surgery. “With the robot we can make smaller incisions, so patients experience less pain and scarring and have better recoveries.”

The new robotic 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. The robot is controlled by the surgeon and acts as an advanced tool, supporting better outcomes for patients.

People needing ear, nose and throat (ENT) and thoracic (lung, chest, esophagus and stomach) surgeries are the first to benefit from robotic assisted surgery at Surrey Memorial Hospital. People previously referred out of Fraser Health for these surgeries will now be able to receive their care at Surrey Memorial Hospital, reducing stress on patients and their families.

“Introducing robotic-assisted surgery is another step forward in advancing innovation and modernizing health care in Fraser Health,” says Dermot Kelly, President and CEO, Fraser Health. “This technology supports enhanced surgical precision and contributes to improved consistency in procedures and outcomes for people. It also helps us attract and retain highly skilled surgical teams, strengthening our ability to provide quality care now and into the future. I want to thank our teams, partners, and the Surrey Hospitals Foundation for their leadership, commitment, and support in making this milestone possible.”

“When we set out to raise $4.5 million to bring robotic-assisted surgery to one of the busiest surgical centres in British Columbia, our donor community responded in an extraordinary way,” says Nicole Robson, President and CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “Today, that vision is becoming reality. This first surgery is the result of years of partnership between donors, clinicians, Fraser Health and the community. Philanthropy helped transform Surrey Memorial Hospital’s operating rooms, and today it has helped bring robotic-assisted surgery to Surrey, advancing care for patients and supporting our leading surgeons with innovative tools that will benefit the region for years to come.”

Surrey Memorial Hospital is one of the busiest surgical centres in the province. Seventy-nine surgeons performed 18,600 surgeries at Surrey Memorial Hospital last year, approximately 10 per cent of which were cancer related. With the addition of the da Vinci Xi system to support the surgical team and dedicated operating room time, even more people will be able to access advanced surgical care closer to where they live.

“Sometimes we have to find a very small tumour known as an unknown primary,” says Dr. Brent Chang. “With the da Vinci Xi’s enhanced visualization we can ‘see’ these very small cancers that are hiding in the body.”

Dr. Chang recently joined Fraser Health from the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, and previously led a robotic surgery program at LSU Shreveport in Louisiana.

“Having the ability to provide patients with the optimal treatment that comes with new technology was an important part of my decision to return to B.C. and join the surgical team at Fraser Health,” says Dr. Chang.

This fall, a second da Vinci Xi robot will begin operating at Royal Columbian Hospital. Urology procedures will be based at Royal Columbian, while Surrey Memorial will remain the centre for thoracic and ENT surgeries, with more procedures expected as the program grows.