The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, controlled by a surgeon from a console.

On Friday 19 August Mater People had the opportunity to view the revolutionary new technology before its introduction into Mater Private Hospital Brisbane theatres.

The robot features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that can bend and rotate far greater than the human hand and allow for exceptional accuracy.

Some of the benefits of the robot assisted surgery include shorter stay in hospital and less pain. Patients can expect a faster recovery and return to normal activities in a few days.

The da Vinci Robot was used in its first surgical procedure at Mater on Saturday 27 August - a robotic Prostatectomy performed by Urologist Dr Peter Swindle.