Surgical technology

Jewish General launches surgical robotics program

MONTREAL – Surgeons at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital (JGH) have entered into the new age of cutting-edge surgery with the arrival of its first da Vinci surgical robot, taking the JGH to the forefront of treating prostate and gynaecological cancers.


Robotic surgery allows for unprecedented surgical precision, translating into shorter operation times, less blood loss, and a decrease in possible complications.

“It has become increasingly evident that prostatectomies performed with robotic technology lead to a significant decrease in incidence of sexual dysfunction and incontinence improving the daily lives of our patients,” said Dr. Jacques Corcos (pictured), Director of the Robotics Program and Chief of the Department of Urology at the Jewish General Hospital.

“This knowledge is based on current research being conducted at the JGH, and is part of a larger design, a Robotics Program in affiliation with all six of Quebec’s universities.”

There are approximately 700 surgical robots in use throughout the world, 500 located in the United States alone, where all JGH surgeons received their training and where 70% of prostatectomies are conducted using a surgeon-assisted robot.

There are few surgical robots in Canada – in London, Ont., in Vancouver, Edmonton, and now in Montreal. The latest generation is quite distinguished from existing models, with the addition of a high-definition monitor which allows for exceptional vision and a fourth arm, enabling the physician to carry out precise surgical movements with ease.

Under the direction of Dr. Jacques Corcos, the JGH Robotics Program will allow for surgical advances in urological and gynaecological cancers, and other specialties including digestive and cardiac surgeries.

Working in collaboration with surgeons in Canada, the United States and Europe are Dr. Maurice Anidjar specializing in urology, Dr. Walter H. Gotlieb and Dr. Susie Lau specializing in gynaecological cancers, Dr. Togas Tulandi, specializing in infertility, Dr. Jacob Garzon and Dr. Shannon Fraser specializing in surgeries of the digestive system, and Dr. Yves Langlois specializing in cardiac surgery.

Their collaboration with national and international robotic centres enables the population of Quebec to benefit from otherwise costly medical treatment.

According to Henri Elbaz, Executive Director of the JGH, “The arrival of the da Vinci system marks our latest success in making the Jewish General Hospital a focal point for the best medical technology and the most up-to-date facilities in the province.”