Mater Private Hospital, Townsville University Hospital celebrate first surgery with Da Vinci XI robot

Terrena Pearn’s two-hour operation was a historic milestone for Townsville’s public and private hospitals, with the surgery the first to use the new Da Vinci XI robot.

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TERRENA Pearn’s two-hour operation was a historic milestone for Townsville’s public and private hospitals, with the surgery the first to use the new Da Vinci XI robot.

Townsville University Hospital and the Mater Private Hospital Townsville have joined forces to bring the technology to the city, making the state-of-the-art medical services available to the regions.

The joint partnership was Mater Townsville robotic surgery steering committee chairman Professor Ajay Rane said this would bring new surgeons to North Queensland and keep more talent in the region.

Doctor Jay Iyer and patient, Terrena Pearn. Terrena was the first patient on the table for the new robotic arm surgery. Picture: Caitlan Charles

Prof Rane said Dr Jay Iyer, who took part in Ms Pearn’s surgery, was the only proctored robotic surgeon in North Queensland.

“We have nine surgeons who have done all the training, including myself,” Prof Rane said.

The Da Vinci XI will mean North Queensland residents no longer have to travel to Brisbane for robotic surgeries.

Patients from as far south as Rockhampton are expected to take advantage of the new robotic capabilities.

Ms Pearn underwent four different procedures during her surgery on March 6.

“It seems unbelievable that just a few days after that major surgery I’m ready to go for a walk on The Strand, the only thing that is stopping me is doctors’ orders,” Ms Pearn said.

“Even the next morning when I woke up in hospital I was sitting up and had brekky in my chair and just didn’t feel anything remotely like the discomfort I was expecting.

Doctor Jay Iyer and patient, Terrena Pearn. Terrena was the first patient on the table for the new robotic arm surgery. Picture: Caitlan Charles

“It is human nature to feel a little nervous but I had trust in my doctors. I asked all the questions that I could think of and now afterwards I am so pleased that I had it done using the robot.”

Ms Pearn said she had next to no pain in her recovery.

Prof Rane believes the hospital will be able to complete about 10 surgeries a week with the new arm.

The state government helped secure the robotic arm partnership as part of a 2020 election commitment. 

Originally published as Mater Private Hospital, Townsville University Hospital celebrate first surgery with Da Vinci XI robot