Robotic-assisted surgery with the Da Vinci Surgical System allows surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive surgical procedures with precision and accuracy. The system is an advanced robotic platform designed to expand the surgeon’s capabilities and offer an alternative option to open surgery.

The Da Vinci Surgical System was delivered in 2020 thanks to funding of €2m from TUHF. The innovative technology enables surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive surgical procedures with precision and accuracy. Christened ‘Leona’ by staff, the robot allows surgeons to operate at high levels of precision without ever touching their patients. It will mean smaller incisions, less pain, reduced blood loss and a quicker recovery time for the patient. 

The first successfully completed surgery took place at TUH in October 2020, a Radical Prostatectomy performed by robotically trained Consultant Urologist Mr. Arun Thomas.

Douglas Collins, Chief Executive of Tallaght University Hospital Foundation said: “Thanks to our generous donors and the support of our partners in Bartra Capital Group and Philip Lee, Tallaght University Hospital Foundation is proud to have delivered this innovative robotic programme known as Da Vinci Surgical System for the benefit of TUH and its patients that brings TUH in line with leading hospitals internationally.  

Thanks to the generosity of donors, TUH is now able to offer an alternative option to open surgery and perform complex minimally invasive surgical procedures with precision and accuracy to over 200 patients annually, making a significant difference on how TUH will deliver excellent patient care.”

The Da Vinci System is a remarkable improvement over conventional laparoscopy, in which the surgeon operates while standing and uses hand-held, long-shafted instruments that cannot bend or rotate. With conventional laparoscopy, the surgeon must look up and away from the instruments to a nearby 2D video monitor to see an image of the target anatomy.

TUH has a strong tradition of developing minimally invasive surgical techniques and pioneering Irish short stay and day case minimally invasive surgery, particularly in the areas of Urology, General Surgery and Orthopaedics. Initially ‘Leona’ was used primarily by the busy Urology service at TUH, with Colorectal Surgery and Gynaecology now also using the new robotic system.

Patient Benefits

Surgeon Benefits