Kubang kerian: Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (HPUSM) is now offering training in robotic technology for knee surgery as part of efforts to advance medical practice in line with current technological advancements.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed stated that robotic technology is integrated into the components of the Master of Medicine (Orthopaedics) programme. The training aims to equip postgraduate students with skills in high-precision surgical practices, data-driven pre-operative planning, and objective intraoperative assessment.

Prof Abdul Rahman highlighted that HPUSM is one of the primary training centres for orthopaedic specialists in Malaysia and offers an Arthroplasty Fellowship Programme for advanced training in joint replacement surgery. This announcement was made during the launch of the Robotic Total Knee Replacement Surgery Service at Dewan Utama Kampus Kesihatan USM.

The training is conducted by a team of experts, including Prof Dr Amran Ahmed Shokri, Dr Muhammad Rajaei Ahmad Mohd Zain, and Associate Prof Dr Shaifuzain Ab Rahman. To date, approximately 80 postgraduate students have enrolled in the programme, reflecting HPUSM's dedication as an academic hospital to cultivate more specialists, particularly in robotic surgery.

In related developments, Abdul Rahman mentioned that HPUSM also provides Robotic Total Knee Replacement surgery utilizing the ROSA Knee System, which acts as a surgical assistant. The inaugural procedure took place successfully on September 23 of the previous year. Since then, 13 patients have undergone surgery with this system, reporting early clinical outcomes that show promising progress.

The introduction of this service is significant for the east coast region, as it grants patients access to advanced knee surgeries, enhancing their quality of life through improved knee function restoration.