HOMS successfully performs the Dominican Republic’s first robotic lobectomies for lung cancer

• Worldwide, lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer. HOMS has performed more than 1,700 successful robotic surgeries.

Santiago. – For the first time in the country, a team of doctors at Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), led by thoracic surgeon Jonathan Vargas, successfully performed three robotic lobectomies for lung cancer.

These new surgeries add to the more than 1,700 robotic surgical procedures performed at HOMS, with excellent results, no mortality and few complications, well below the international average, over almost 11 years of experience.

“We continue to advance and set the standard in robotic surgery in the Dominican Republic for the benefit of all Dominicans and international patients; there are now six specialties performing robotic procedures, with the most recent addition of thoracic surgery, along with urological, oncological, obesity, gynaecological and colorectal surgery,” said the director of the robotic surgery programme and deputy director of HOMS, Dr. Héctor Sánchez Navarro.

He also highlighted that the hospital backs enterprising Dominican doctors; with these three lung lobectomies, Dr. Jonathan Vargas became the country’s first robotic thoracic surgeon.

During the procedures, Dr. Vargas was joined by international robotic thoracic surgery expert Dr. Luis Herrera, as well as HOMS specialists Juan Félix Capellán, director of surgery, and José Álvarez Torres, the hospital’s medical director.

Vargas said lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, so if there are possible symptoms such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath or chest pain, it is important to see a doctor.

With robotic procedures there is evidence of less bleeding and fewer surgical site infections, the most frequent complication of any type of surgery. Hospital stays are also shorter and recovery is much faster.

Robotic surgery is considerably safer and gives the surgeon far greater visual capacity, with full HD three-dimensional vision. The robot’s 1 cm instruments, with 270º articulation, make it possible to perform complex procedures in small cavities comfortably and safely. It also leads to a better post-operative course, with less pain, less need for pain relief and a lower risk of bleeding.

The HOMS robotic surgery service continues to grow and set the standard for technological and minimally invasive surgery in the country, positioning itself as the leader in experience and a pioneer in the Dominican Republic since 2013.

Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS) provides care focused on the quality and safety of patients and staff, and remains at the cutting edge with specialised medical centres equipped with the latest technology.

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