A major milestone in robotic surgery was achieved in Casablanca on Thursday with the successful completion of the first robot-assisted visceral surgery at the Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, part of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS). The operation, a rectal resection to treat colorectal cancer, was performed by Dr. Choukri El Mehdi, a digestive surgeon at FM6SS, using the Da Vinci surgical robot, a globally renowned system known for its high precision and minimally invasive approach. This marks the second phase of FM6SS's rollout of robotic surgery, following its initial implementation in urology. According to Professor Khalid Sair, general director of the Casablanca site of FM6SS, the first wave of surgeries focused on radical prostatectomies, carried out in full compliance with the standards set by the robot's manufacturer. «The robot allows for extremely precise operations, especially when it comes to preserving vital organs or tissues in deep anatomical zones», Professor Sair noted. He added that the technology is particularly effective at minimizing blood loss and reducing the risk of post-operative complications. Echoing this assessment, Dr. Choukri emphasized the advantages of this advanced technology, pointing out that it is ultimately the surgeon who performs the procedure via a console that allows for highly refined manipulation of the robot's arms. He further explained that the system provides high-definition, three-dimensional vision, granting access to complex anatomical areas with remarkable precision. He noted that the resection was carried out under optimal conditions, with full control over every surgical movement and minimal trauma to the patient, ensuring a faster and smoother recovery.
