One of the World’s Most High Tech Operating Theatre launched at UKMMC

           

By Shahfizal Musa
Pics by Saliman Leman


KUALA LUMPUR, 19 April, 2011 – UKM Medical centre (UKMMC) has launched its OR1, the integrated high definition operating theatre, a facility for key hole surgery or advanced laparoscopic procedure that allows for minimal invasive surgery.


It comes equipped with a time out and checklist system making it the first high tech operating theatre in the country which also comes with improved safety features, one of the first in the world.


The facility was officially launched by the Minister of Health Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday.


The OR1 allows UKM Medical Centre to do complex endoscopic surgery of the kidney, pancreas, uterus and colon with minimal wound inflicted on the patient.


The uniqueness of OR1 rest in its simplicity and allowing the surgeon to do most of the work himself merely by touching the computer screen without having to be very dependent on support staff.


The surgeon can do most of what is needed himself merely by touching the computer screen. This will make the operating theatre less crowded and consequently substantially increase efficiency.


This is unlike a conventional operating theatre where the surgeon needed to depend a lot on the support staff to operate.


Liow said it was his responsibility to ensure that Malaysia keeps up with the latest advances in surgery and where possible even lead the way.


“It is not sufficient to just ensure that our surgeons can perform advanced surgical procedures because without proper equipment, it is like training our airline pilots to fly without providing them with airplanes.”


Currently an operation is done with open surgery where the body is cut open to fix the problem. Keyhole surgery, however, is done by making a cut as small as 5mm.


The method reduces trauma and healing time thus reducing the cost to the patient since duration of hospitalisation is also reduced.


The OR1 is fitted with video conferencing capability which enables surgeons to collaborate globally during surgery without having them to be physically in OR1.


Distinguished Professor Tan Hock Lim the man behind OR1 demonstrated the simplicity of endoscopic surgery to the Minister and members of the media.


He likened the OR1 to a jumbo jet, where everything is at the pilot’s finger tips. Similarly in OR1 everything can be controlled by the surgeon at his finger tips. These include lighting to getting advice from other surgeons from around the world.


Professor Tan said “With OR1 Malaysia is doing surgery which still cannot be done  in Singapore. We are at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery in this region.”


UKM Vice Chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin said that an Advanced Surgical Skills Centre (ASSC) will be operational at UKMMC by next January.


“I am indeed delighted that the ASSC is coming to fruition in the later part of this year. We will have a fully functional wet laboratory for our trainees to learn, practice and polish their delicate skills on various models before operating on patients”


The ASSC will have fully functional high definition, fully integrated operating theatre similar to a flight simulator which allows surgeons to hone their skills in virtual reality first before they move on to real life patients.


Gunter Gruber the Ambassador of the Republic of Germany, Dr Sybill Stroz CEO of Strorz Group, the supplier of the OR1, Heads of Department and Dean of Faculties attended the launching.