Rajavithi Hospital has performed a robotic-assisted operation to remove a pancreatic tumour in a 12-year-old girl, making her one of the youngest patients in Thailand to undergo this advanced surgical procedure.
Department of Medical Services Director-General Dr Natthaphong Wongwiwat said surgeons carried out a robotic-assisted pancreatic and duodenal surgery to treat the young patient.
The operation, commonly known as the Whipple procedure, is among the most technically demanding abdominal surgeries.
It involves organs clustered in a complex area, including the pancreas, bile duct, intestines and major abdominal blood vessels, requiring a high level of surgical expertise.
Lead surgeon Dr Natthawutthipong Leerattanakajorn said the patient was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic tumour known as Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm at the neck of the pancreas.
The case was particularly challenging because the tumour was relatively large, while the patient’s small body size limited operating space.
Despite these challenges, the robotic surgery was a success. The patient experienced minimal blood loss, smaller surgical wounds, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.
Hospital director Dr Jinda Rojanametin said the achievement marks a milestone in the use of high-precision medical technology for complex paediatric cases.
Source: Bangkok Post