The 15th international academic conference organized by the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA) commenced in Rome, Italy, from November 21 to 23. As the most influential academic summit in the global field of robotic surgery, this conference brings together top surgeons and scholars from around the world to discuss groundbreaking achievements in frontier areas ranging from basic research to clinical translation, from digital medicine to computer-assisted simulation technologies.

As a leading figure in the field of robotic surgery in China, Prof. Chen Rufu, the head of the Pancreatic Center at the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Vice President of the Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, was invited to attend the conference and deliver a keynote speech. He shared the hospital’s experience in functional-preserving pancreatic surgery using robotic techniques. Through solid clinical data, innovative surgical approaches, and cutting-edge technology applications, Prof. Chen demonstrated the rapid development of robotic surgery in China, offering new clinical perspectives and technical directions to medical professionals globally.

Prof. Chen Rufu Delivering a Speech and Chairing the Conference

Prof. Chen Rufu is renowned for his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic diseases, particularly in the differential diagnosis, surgical treatment, and multidisciplinary comprehensive management of pancreatic tumors. He has pioneered a series of robotic surgical techniques, including functional-preserving partial pancreatectomy of the head, pancreatic duct reconstruction, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, and central pancreatectomy.

Prof. Chen has successfully established the largest and most powerful pancreatic center in southern China. He innovatively developed a “modular” surgical system and a “dual-surgeon” collaborative model, standardizing and systematizing the complex laparoscopic pancreatic surgery process. More notably, his “Chen’s Middle” approach, “arterial sheath dissection” technique, and “Chen’s Three-Needle” method for pancreaticojejunostomy have successfully overcome the technical barriers in minimally invasive pancreatic cancer surgery, opening up new avenues for patient recovery.

Since 2021, Prof. Chen and his team have successfully completed over 500 robotic-assisted pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder surgeries. His groundbreaking clinical research has been published in top international journals such as Cancer Communications and The Lancet sub-journals. On important academic platforms both domestically and internationally, the innovative diagnostic and therapeutic experiences of the Pancreatic Center at the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital have received widespread acclaim and recognition from global peers.

Prof. Chen Rufu stated that in the future, he will continue to practice medicine with a dedicated spirit and compassionate heart, promote technological advancement with innovative ideas, and lead industry development with a broad vision. He is committed to becoming a steadfast practitioner, a pioneering promoter, and a wise leader in the field of surgical robotics, contributing brilliant Eastern wisdom to the enhancement of global health and well-being.

Yu Min

Updated: 25 November, 2024