First Da Vinci Robot-Assisted Gynecological Surgery Successfully Performed in Southern Xinjiang

Background

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, known as Red House Hospital, has participated in Shanghai-Xinjiang medical pairing assistance programs for years. As part of these efforts, the hospital has introduced 24 new medical technologies to the region over the past five years, focusing on areas including critical obstetric care, minimally invasive gynecologic tumor treatment, and standardized anesthesia.

On July 18, 2026, hospital president Professor Jiang Hua led a team to Kunlun People's Hospital (also referred to as BingTuan Caohu Kunlun People's Hospital) at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains in southern Xinjiang. The local facility had recently introduced a fourth-generation Da Vinci surgical robot system. A patient there had suffered from long-term gynecological diseases, which increased risks such as intraoperative bleeding and injury to surrounding organs during conventional procedures. At the suggestion of aid expert Lu Chong, the Shanghai team was invited to perform a robot-assisted operation and provide training.

What was achieved

Professor Jiang Hua successfully performed the first Da Vinci robot-assisted total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy in southern Xinjiang. The procedure was carried out at Kunlun People's Hospital with assistance from local aid experts, including Lu Chong, Chen Shouzhen, and Liao Jiongbo. According to reports, the surgery proceeded smoothly, with low blood loss throughout. The patient’s vital signs remained stable afterward, pain response was mild, and initial recovery was positive.

Beyond treating the individual case, the operation functioned as a standardized teaching demonstration for local medical staff. Professor Jiang Hua provided real-time explanations of key operational techniques, risk prevention measures, and standardized protocols for robotic equipment use. This transferred knowledge from the Shanghai hospital’s established minimally invasive systems to the region. Reports describe the event as filling a technological gap in Da Vinci robot-assisted gynecological surgery in southern Xinjiang and supporting long-term capacity building through ongoing training, teleconsultations, and guidance.

How it works

The Da Vinci surgical system is a robotic platform controlled entirely by the surgeon. The surgeon sits at a dedicated console in the operating room and views a high-definition three-dimensional stereoscopic image produced by a camera inserted through a small incision. This imaging magnifies pelvic anatomy, allowing clear visualization of fine tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Robotic arms attached to the patient-side cart hold specialized instruments that are introduced through several small abdominal incisions. These instruments feature multiple degrees of freedom, mimicking wrist movements with greater flexibility and precision than traditional laparoscopic tools. The system translates the surgeon’s hand motions at the console into scaled, tremor-filtered actions by the arms. In this gynecological procedure, the technology enabled delicate dissection, hemostasis, and removal of the uterus and both fallopian tubes within the confined pelvic space. Compared with standard laparoscopy, sources note that it addresses limitations in field of view and instrument maneuverability, supporting safer and more precise minimally invasive work for complex cases.

What it means for international patients

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University is recognized for its work in minimally invasive and robotic gynecological techniques performed in Shanghai. The hospital maintains an international medical department and accepts international patients. Multilingual support, including English interpretation, is available, along with assistance for insurance and appointments.

International patients considering robotic-assisted gynecological surgery or other specialized women’s health care in China should contact the hospital directly to verify eligibility, availability, and suitability for their specific medical condition. Individual assessments are required, and patients are advised to reach out to the international department for current information on services.

About the hospital

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, commonly called Red House Hospital or Hong Fang Zi Hospital, is located in Shanghai. Founded in 1884 as one of China’s earliest women’s and children’s hospitals, it is a public tertiary Grade A (3A) specialized facility affiliated with Fudan University. It operates campuses including sites on Fangxie Road in Huangpu District and in Yangpu District.

The hospital is a national key clinical specialty unit for both obstetrics and gynecology. It is known for expertise in gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility treatment, high-risk obstetrics, cervical disease management, and minimally invasive surgery. It has been ranked among the top obstetrics and gynecology specialized hospitals in China for multiple consecutive years according to national assessments. The hospital provides medical, teaching, and research services and maintains an international medical department to support patients from outside mainland China.