BANGKOK, THAILAND – Doctors at Rajavithi Hospital successfully performed a rare robot-assisted operation to remove a pancreatic tumor from a 12-year-old girl, describing the procedure as a milestone in complex abdominal surgery.
Procedure on one of the youngest patients
According to the Department of Medical Services, the operation was carried out with robotic assistance and was regarded as one of the most advanced surgical procedures reported in Thailand for a patient of this age.
Dr Natthaphong Wongwiwat, the department’s director-general, said the team performed a robot-assisted operation on the pancreas and duodenum. He described the intervention as part of efforts to expand access to high-precision surgery for younger patients.
What the Whipple procedure involves
Medically, the operation was a Whipple procedure, considered one of the most technically demanding types of abdominal surgery. It required the removal and reconstruction of structures in a confined area of the upper abdomen.
In this narrow space, the pancreas, bile duct, sections of the intestine and major abdominal blood vessels lie close together, demanding the highest level of precision from the surgical team. Robotic assistance was used to navigate these critical structures with enhanced accuracy.
Rare diagnosis at the neck of the pancreas
The lead surgeon, Dr Natthawutthipong Leerattanakajorn, said the child had been diagnosed with a rare tumor known as a solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm.
The tumor was located at the neck of the pancreas, a particularly sensitive region where key anatomical structures pass in close proximity. This position increased the risk of damaging vital ducts and vessels during the operation.
Why this operation was especially difficult
The case was considered exceptionally challenging because the tumor was relatively large in proportion to the girl’s body. This left limited margin for error when dissecting and removing the mass.
Her small body size further restricted the available operating space, making every movement within the surgical field more risky. The robotic system was employed to help minimize unintentional contact with nearby organs and vessels.
Success with robotic technology
Despite the difficult starting conditions, doctors reported that the robot-assisted surgery was successful. They noted that the use of robotics contributed to careful dissection and reconstruction in the tight anatomical area.
The team reported minimal blood loss, smaller wounds, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery for the patient. These outcomes were highlighted as key advantages of the robot-assisted approach in such complex pediatric operations.
Hospital leadership calls it a milestone
Hospital director Dr Jinda Rojanametin described the procedure as an important step in the use of high-precision medical technology for complex operations in children.
“The result shows that robotic technology can open up new possibilities not only in adult surgery but also in difficult pediatric cases.”
said Dr Jinda Rojanametin, hospital director.
From the hospital’s perspective, the success of this Whipple procedure in a 12-year-old demonstrated that advanced robotic systems could safely extend to highly demanding abdominal surgery in younger patients in Thailand.