Blazing a path into robotics

SHE’S made a habit of being a trailblazer, but this local health professional may have just conquered her biggest frontier yet.

Kurinji Kannan has become the first female doctor to perform robotic surgery in Townsville using the Da Vinci XI robot.

Dr Kannan ( pictured) performed two major gynaecology surgeries at the Mater Hospital over the Anzac Day long weekend.

Dr Kannan first became acquainted with robotic equipment in the US in 2010, though had never used it in a real-life situation until a couple of weeks ago.

She completed a training program in Sydney recently to be qualified to use the technology. “It took almost 10 years for us to get it here in Townsville, so it was very exciting,” Dr Kannan said.

“Normal surgery is two-dimensional, the robotic surgery is three-dimensional. You have control of the camera and all the instruments you use.

“With the robot you have seven different axis’ of rotation. The precision of where you want to cut the hole makes it so much easier.

“There was a little bit of nervousness before I started, but I’ve been trained very well. Once you sit and start the procedure you forget your nervousness and get on with the job.”

Dr Kannan said both of her patients were discharged in less than 36 hours and required “dramatically less pain relief” than they would have for traditional surgery.

She also said blood loss was significantly lower during the operation because of the robot’s accuracy.

In 2005 Dr Kannan became the first Indian woman to complete fellowship training in obstetrics and gynaecology in New Zealand.