The Philippines is breaking new ground in kidney transplant surgery with the adoption of the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, an advanced robotic platform that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with exceptional precision and minimally invasive techniques.
St. Luke’s Medical Center, the first hospital in the country and Southeast Asia to offer robotic-assisted kidney transplant surgery two years ago, has already completed multiple successful operations using this technology. The da Vinci Xi system enables surgeons to make smaller incisions, avoid cutting muscle tissue, and reduce postoperative pain, leading to faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.
Physicians at St. Luke’s who have used this technology have lauded the advancement for its effectiveness.
Dr. Amornetta Casupang, Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgeon at St. Luke’s, emphasized the transformative impact of robotic-assisted surgery on cosmetic and postoperative outcomes.
“While traditional open surgeries can leave huge scars, robotic-assisted kidney transplants leave 2-inch incisions with very minimal scarring,” Casupang explained.
“In open kidney transplant surgery, we often make large incisions — usually about six inches or more — which can involve cutting through muscle,” Dr. Martin Anthony Villa, Transplant and Vascular Endovascular Surgeon at St. Luke’s Global City and Quezon City, also said.
This innovative approach is said to be beneficial for patients with high Body Mass Index (BMI) or lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes, who face greater surgical risks with traditional open surgery. It improves outcomes and patient comfort as it minimizes trauma and lowers infection risks.
With enhanced 3D visualization and highly articulated robotic arms, the da Vinci Xi system allows surgeons to perform delicate movements with greater control than conventional methods. Still, the robot remains a tool guided by expert surgical judgment, ensuring that clinical decisions rest with the medical team.
“It’s called robotic-assisted surgery for a reason,” Dr. Caesar Casanova, robotic-assisted kidney transplant and vascular surgeon at St. Lukes, said.
“The robot doesn’t make decisions — the surgeon does. It mirrors the surgeon’s movements with precision, but clinical judgment and experience determine outcomes.”
The introduction of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation marks a major milestone for the Philippines, especially for renal care, expanding treatment options for chronic kidney disease and positioning the country as a leader in surgical innovation within the region.
Meanwhile, St. Luke’s has been recognized with the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) for its Kidney Transplant Program, the first and only such recognition in the region.
The first robotic-assisted kidney transplant was performed by the hospital’s surgical team in December 2023, led by its transplant and vascular surgeon, Dr. Ronald Anthony Faller.
A mother named Joan Pineda donated her kidney to her then-19-year-old son, Keith Pineda, who was grappling with a kidney condition.
Faller recommended kidney transplantation and played a key role in the successful robotic-assisted procedure for Keith.
“We’ve already completed six successful robotic-assisted kidney transplants at St. Luke’s,” the physician said.
“This milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class, high-quality patient care,” he added.
The team also underscored that the innovation is much-needed in the country.
“Filipinos deserve access to this kind of innovation,” the robotic transplant team said.
“This program is not just changing lives—it’s putting the Philippines on the map as the first country in Southeast Asia to perform robotic-assisted kidney transplant surgery successfully,” it added.
The robotic-assisted kidney transplant surgeons also provided a detailed look into the benefits and applications of this innovative approach in an interview posted in July 2025.