Almaty oncologists use surgical robot to remove lung tumor

Published October 15, 2026 17:27

Nikolai Marchenko

Nikolai Marchenko

Senior Journalist n.marchenko@kursiv.media
Olesya Bassarova

Olesya Bassarova

General News Correspondent o.bassarova@kursiv.kz
операция
Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Almaty oncologists are adopting new technologies. For the first time, lung tumors have been removed using a surgical robot rather than conventional surgery, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare reported.

The innovative system gives surgeons 3D vision and highly precise instruments. For patients, this means smaller incisions, less pain and a shorter hospital stay. Almaty surgeons received training during a workshop led by Professor Xu Shidong, a leading Chinese thoracic surgeon with 35 years of experience.

The ministry said two operations were performed, each lasting 2.5 hours. During the procedures, doctors at the oncology center and the Chinese expert discussed modern surgical approaches, indications for robot-assisted surgery and the prevention of complications.

Photo: Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan

The ministry added that the center had previously performed more than 20 robotic surgeries for tumors affecting the abdominal and pelvic organs. It is now expanding the use of the technology to thoracic oncology.

«Introducing robot-assisted surgery for lung cancer opens up new opportunities to advance high-tech cancer care in Almaty,» the doctors said.

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