Robot-assisted microsurgery has been performed in Hong Kong for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and Queen Mary Hospital (QMH).
This achievement highlights their leadership in advancing precision surgery and in setting new global standards for complex surgical care.
A team from HKUMed’s Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, completed 48 procedures, including the world’s first robot-assisted liver transplant and trans-hairline robotic microvascular surgery.
The robotic platform overcomes the limitations of manual microsurgery through tremor filtering, motion scaling, and enhanced visualisation. Its long, dexterous arms, each with seven degrees of freedom and connected to micro-instruments, enable surgeons to operate with precision in confined spaces where manual access is challenging.
This technology allows surgeons to work in an ergonomically optimised environment, reducing fatigue and strain and facilitating a gentler, more structured learning curve. It enhances surgeon competency, shortens operative times, and maintains high standards of care.
In April, the team achieved a global first with a successful robotic-assisted living-donor liver transplantation. In late 2025, they had already set another world record by applying robotic-assisted microsurgery to manage head and neck cancer.
Additional applications include reconstructive procedures after tumour removal, lymphatic surgery, and trauma surgery.
Dr Velda Chow Ling-yu, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed; and Division Chief, Divisions of Head and Neck Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at QMH, said: ‘By delivering greater stability, precision and control, the robotic platform enables surgeons to operate effectively even under highly demanding conditions, while also making the learning experience more intuitive and reproducible. This allows us to elevate more surgeons to a high level of competency in a shorter timeframe.’
Professor Albert Chan Chi-yan, Clinical Professor, Li Shu Fan Medical Foundation Professor in Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed; and Director of the Liver Transplant Centre at QMH, added: ‘Our world-first application of robotic microsurgery in liver transplantation has set a new benchmark in the field. The enhanced stability and dexterity of the platform give our surgical team unparalleled precision under the most demanding anatomical conditions. This translates directly into the highest standard of care and improved outcomes for every patient we serve.’
