Empowering Women's Health: How Robotic Gynecologic Surgery at St. Luke's Is Changing Lives

GMA Network

22-07-2025

The Future of Women's Care Is Here—and It's Robotic
Women are often the backbone of families and communities—balancing careers, raising children, and caring for others—often at the expense of their own health. At St. Luke's Medical Center, we believe it's time to shift that narrative and empower women to prioritize their well-being.
That's why we're proud to be at the forefront of robotic gynecologic surgery now using da Vinci Robotic Surgery in the Philippines. We offer advanced women's healthcare in Manila, minimally invasive surgical solutions that lead to faster recovery, less pain, and better outcomes.
With over 14 years of experience and more than 2,000 successful robotic procedures, St. Luke's is not just advancing surgical care—we're redefining what's possible for women's health.
To shed light on this transformative approach, we spoke with some of the best OB-GYN surgeons in the Philippines who are pioneers in the field: Dr. Marie Victoria Cruz-Javier, Dr. Camille Ann Abaya, Dr. Elsie Pascua, and Dr. Elizabeth Joan Esguerra-Ocampo—all of whom are associated with St. Luke's as robotic gynecological surgeons.
What Is Robotic Gynecologic Surgery?
"Robotic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery," explains Dr. Camille Ann Abaya.
"At St. Luke's, we use the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System," adds Dr. Elsie Pascua.
Further describing its capabilities, Dr. Elizabeth Ocampo elaborates:
'Robotic surgery is an advancement in laparoscopic surgery. The instrumentation provides 7 degrees of freedom: 3 degrees provided by the robotic arms (insertion, pitch, yaw) and 4 degrees from the "wristed" instruments (pitch, yaw, roll, and grip), which improves dexterity and enables the surgeon to manipulate and dissect tissue in a delicate, controlled fashion. Advantages of robotic technology over conventional laparoscopy include the absence of tremors, a 3-dimensional image, superior instrument articulation, downscaling of movements, and comfort for the surgeon."
Dr. Abaya also added, "Actually, it is better in a sense because the natural human tremor is eliminated with the robotic arm."
Meanwhile, Dr. Marie Victoria Cruz-Javier highlights the benefit of less invasive techniques:
"The fact that robotic surgery involves small incisions translates to less pain, faster recovery, and less risk of infections. Try to imagine you have a long incision—of course, the recovery is longer; mobility is impaired, you know, going back to your family, to your work, this will entail a longer recovery time."
This innovative technology offers promising clinical outcomes and more benefits, but behind every robotic procedure is a skilled and compassionate expert who merges cutting-edge technology with skills and compassionate care for their patients.
Addressing common questions about who's really "doing the surgery," Dr. Pascua makes it clear: "The care for your patient should be primordial—personal, focused, and genuine. That's most important. Robots seem so dense and heartless, but with robotic surgery, the robot or the system is only a tool, only a technology. But, the driver, the one in full control, is the surgeon. So, the robot will not be responsible for operating on itself, but somebody has to do it. So, we are thankful to the system because it can help us do more complex procedures or sometimes procedures impossible to do before."
Why Robotic Gynecologic Surgery Is a Game-Changer for Women
For women juggling careers, households, and caregiving, robotic-assisted surgery means less time in the hospital—and more time for life.
Key benefits include:
Less postoperative pain
Smaller incisions and minimal scarring
Shorter hospital stays—sometimes even same-day discharge
Faster return to daily activities
Lower risk of infection and complications
"Before, open surgery required 5–6 days of hospitalization," Dr. Abaya shares. "Now, with robotic surgery, some patients go home the same day or the next. That's a huge difference—especially for mothers who need to get back on their feet quickly."
Conditions Treated with Robotic Gynecologic Surgery
At St. Luke's, robotic-assisted procedures are used to treat a wide range of gynecologic conditions, including:
Uterine fibroids (myomectomy)
Ovarian cysts (cystectomy)
Endometriosis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Robotic Hysterectomy (uterus removal)
Lymph node dissection
Early-stage gynecologic cancers (excluding ovarian)
Why Choose St. Luke's for Robotic Gynecologic Surgery?
St. Luke's Medical Center is home to one of the Philippines' longest-running and most advanced programs for robotic gynecologic surgery in the Philippines. We boast of having two da Vinci Xi Robotics Systems, one in the Global City facility and the other in the Quezon City facility, giving more women access wherever they live in the metro. Our center is supported by:
A team of OB-GYN robotic surgeons with extensive experience with robotic surgery in the country introduced the technology as early as 2011.
Multidisciplinary collaboration with experts from different fields, such as gynecology, urology, colorectal surgery, reproductive medicine and infertility, and oncology
Access to advanced technologies such as the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System
For over 14 years now, our surgeons have continuously honed their expertise, performing more than 2,000 successful robotic surgeries
A holistic, patient-centered approach to care
Dr. Ocampo describes what makes the St. Luke's approach so unique:
"We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and at the same time, we have the knowledge, the experience, the good patient outcomes, and the numbers of surgeries of our experienced doctors in different specialties. In St. Luke's Medical Center, we are a family; we work as a team and don't function alone. We ensure patient safety by asking our brothers and sisters for help. Our multispecialty robotic team will ensure that we provide your needs and comfort to the best of our ability."
She adds: St. Luke's is home to all of the proctors for robotic gynecologic surgery in the Philippines, guaranteeing that every patient receives top-notch care.
Because Women Deserve Less Downtime—and More Life
At St. Luke's Medical Center, we believe women shouldn't have to choose between healing and living their lives.
Thanks to robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery, women now have access to more women's health care options. It's more than just convenience—it's about restoring the time, energy, and quality of life that every woman deserves.
If you've been diagnosed with a gynecologic condition—or are experiencing symptoms—Dr. Pascua encourages women to explore all available options.
"If you have a gynecologic condition, talk to your doctor. See if minimally invasive surgery, specifically robotic surgery, is the right procedure for you."
If you're searching for robotic surgery specialists in Metro Manila or top hospitals for robotic surgery in the Philippines, St. Luke's Medical Center is here for you. With compassionate care and cutting-edge technology, you're never alone in facing your health journey.
Don't be afraid," says Dr. Camille Ann Abaya. "Come over, explore your options. See one of our robotic surgeon doctors, and they will be able to explain to you what a robotic surgery platform is—particularly in your case.
Your Health, Your Choice
At St. Luke's Medical Center, we don't just perform robotic gynecologic surgeries—we are a trusted women's health center in the Philippines.
With compassionate experts, groundbreaking technology, and a legacy of excellence, we are here to help you heal, thrive, and take back control of your time, body, and future.
Book a Consultation Today.
0947 993 0471 | 0939 916 1805 | 0928 520 0239 | 0998 582 2276
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This is a paid press release by St. Luke's Medical Center