World-first robot surgery brings hope for cancer patients
A Melbourne hospital has made medical history by using robots to carry out life-changing cancer surgery.
Jordan Robotis first noticed his voice changing at Christmas time last year.
The subtle shift became alarming when his cousins pointed out a lump in his throat.
Early tests, including ultrasounds, CT scans, and a biopsy, didn’t offer clear answers for the 27-year-old.
Soon after, one hospital warned Mr Robotis he might never speak or eat again. The possibility of living with a feeding tube was daunting.
Eventually, Mr Robotis was referred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, where a detailed examination revealed a tumour in a highly complex area between his voice box, tongue, and throat wall.
“They put a camera in my nose and into my throat and I was able to actually see the tumour, which was pretty confronting,” Mr Robotis told 7News.
“I was a little bit, I guess, in shock.”
Mr Robotis had heard stories of others facing similar battles, but experiencing it himself was different.
He found himself in “survival mode”, trying to process what came next.
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On May 5 this year, St Vincent surgeons performed a world-first dual-robotic surgery to remove the tumour.
Professor Ben Dixon, Director of ENT Head and Neck Service, used the da Vinci Xi surgical robot to remove the tumour with incredible precision, avoiding nearby structures such as the tongue and jaw.
Plastic surgeon Dr Edwin Morrison then used the Symani microsurgical robot to reconnect blood vessels smaller than 1mm - a level of precision beyond the human hand.
“It’s (Symani) one of a kind. There is no alternative to it,” said Dr Morrison.
“It provides us with unparalleled abilities to operate at the microscopic level. Some would say superhuman. It’s probably not that unreasonable to put it that way.”
Professor Dixon said that with a standard approach, Mr Robotis could have suffered significant swallowing and voice dysfunction, or even find himself stuck with a breathing tube.
“We were able to go in through the mouth, define the limits of exactly where the tumour was, make precise cuts around the lining of the throat and the voice box so that we could maintain function in as much of it as possible.
“Then we were able to go externally through the neck and remove it knowing that we’d made the internal cuts in all the right areas,” he said.
“You need to get it all out in one go. If you leave bits behind or have positive margins, that could be a disaster.”
The result was extraordinary. Jordan retained near-normal speech and swallowing, outcomes previously thought impossible for tumours in this location.
Recovery was challenging in the first weeks, but he has since been able to focus on regaining strength and returning to daily life.
St Vincent’s Hospital is a leading centre for ENT, oncology, and reconstructive surgery, and has been at the forefront of robotic-assisted surgery in Australia.
The da Vinci Xi and Symani systems, introduced by Device Technologies, are now being increasingly used across complex oncology, microsurgery, and reconstructive procedures, giving patients safer, less invasive options and life-changing outcomes.
Lisa Kirsch, Director of Sales - Surgical & Hospital at Device Technologies, said: “This world-first case is an incredible example of how surgical robotics can transform the outlook for patients facing life-altering diagnoses.
“To preserve the voice box in a case like this is extraordinary, and a testament to what’s possible when highly skilled surgeons are supported by the most advanced technologies.”
For Mr Robotis, the procedure was nothing short of miraculous, keeping his voice and independence intact, and the hope is that these pioneering robots will help countless others facing similar battles.
Originally published as World-first robot surgery brings hope for cancer patients
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