A surgeon sits before the control desk of a da Vinci robotic surgical system.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This month, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital has successfully conducted a rectal cancer surgery using the da Vinci surgical system, the first such practice in China.

Approved in the United States in 2000, the system is a robotic surgical system made by the American company Intuitive Surgical. It is designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled by a surgeon from a console.

It consists of a surgeon's control desk, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms controlled from the desk. The surgeon uses the console's master controls to maneuver the patient-side cart's three or four robotic arms (depending on the model). The safety features of the system can minimize opportunities for human error when compared with traditional approaches.

"With the help of the da Vinci System, the operation is more accurate," said Ma Dan, deputy director of the hospital's department of general surgery.

The patient is recovering well and receiving further treatment, according to the hospital.