Beijing Shijitan Hospital An Songlin Team Completes First Robot-Assisted Retroperitoneal Tumor Resection

Background

Beijing Shijitan Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, maintains a specialized Peritoneal Tumor and Cancerous Intestinal Obstruction Surgery department. An Songlin, chief physician and associate professor with a doctoral degree from Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Hospital, leads efforts in this area. His expertise centers on the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of peritoneal malignancies, retroperitoneal tumors, and gastrointestinal tumors, including experience with cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC).

In 2025, the hospital advanced its robotic surgery capabilities across multiple departments, including the establishment of a Robotic Minimally Invasive Surgery Medical Center in June during its 110th anniversary events. It was also approved as one of Beijing's first AI-assisted treatment technology training bases. On September 24, 2025, the hospital reported that An Songlin's team had performed the institution's first robot-assisted retroperitoneal tumor resection during its third season of internal surgery live broadcasts.

What was achieved

The team successfully completed a robot-assisted resection of a retroperitoneal tumor with a maximum diameter of 15 cm. The tumor was closely related to the left ureter and external iliac vessels and had invaded the left gonadal vessels, presenting a highly complex anatomical situation and significant surgical difficulty.

Using the robotic system, the team achieved complete tumor removal along with retroperitoneal fat clearance. This resulted in a radical resection effect equivalent to that of traditional open surgery. The procedure lasted approximately three hours with smooth execution and efficient team collaboration. Compared to open approaches, the robotic method involved five ports of about 1 cm each plus an approximately 8 cm incision for specimen extraction. Sources reported reduced trauma, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and an expected shorter hospital stay.

How it works

Retroperitoneal tumors grow in the anatomical space behind the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity. These tumors frequently lie adjacent to or involve critical structures such as major blood vessels, ureters, and other organs, limiting visibility and access during surgery and increasing risks with traditional open or laparoscopic methods.

In robot-assisted surgery, the surgeon operates from a console that translates hand movements into precise actions by robotic arms inserted through small ports in the patient's abdomen. The system delivers high-definition, three-dimensional magnified visualization of the surgical field and instruments with wrist-like articulation that offer greater dexterity than the human hand in confined spaces. This allows careful dissection of the tumor from adherent vessels and tissues while minimizing damage to surrounding structures. In this case, the approach enabled both tumor excision and additional clearance of retroperitoneal fat through the limited ports, with the resected specimen removed via a small auxiliary incision.

What it means for international patients

The hospital's peritoneal tumor department has established expertise in managing complex abdominal and retroperitoneal malignancies, and the 2025 introduction of robotic techniques for such cases adds a minimally invasive option that may support reduced recovery times. The hospital launched an English version of its official website in 2025 as part of efforts to support international engagement.

International patients interested in evaluation or treatment for retroperitoneal tumors should contact the hospital directly to confirm eligibility, review their specific medical records, and determine suitability for robotic-assisted or other approaches. Availability and appropriateness of any procedure must be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the clinical team.

About the hospital

Beijing Shijitan Hospital, also formerly known as Beijing Railway General Hospital, is a tertiary Grade A comprehensive hospital founded in 1915 and located in Haidian District, Beijing, near the West Railway Station at 10 Tieyi Road, Yangfangdian. It is affiliated with Capital Medical University, serves as Capital Medical University Tumor Medical College, and functions as Peking University Ninth Clinical Medical College. The facility has approximately 1,100 beds and advanced equipment including PET-CT, 256-slice CT scanners, 3.0T MRI, and linear accelerators.

It is recognized for strengths in oncology, with dedicated programs in peritoneal tumor surgery that have hosted international congresses on peritoneal surface malignancies and developed integrated treatment protocols. In 2025, it established a Robotic Minimally Invasive Surgery Medical Center to integrate robotics and AI across specialties including urology, general surgery, thoracic, and orthopedics. The hospital has been designated a Beijing training base for AI-assisted treatment technologies.