HRPZ II in Kota Bharu becomes first east coast hospital to perform robotic knee replacement, offering higher precision and faster recovery.
KOTA BHARU: Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital II (HRPZ II) has performed the state’s first knee replacement surgery using a robotic surgical assistant.
Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob said this makes HRPZ II the first hospital in Kelantan and on the east coast to use the technology.
It is also only the third hospital in the country to do so, after Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Sultanah Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
“The use of robotic technology provides an advantage to the patient in terms of higher surgical accuracy, reduced post-surgery pain and a shorter recovery period,” he said.
The first surgery was performed on a 63-year-old male patient who had suffered knee pain for several years.
Dr Mohd Azman explained the technology allows surgeons to plan procedures in greater detail using real-time 3D imaging.
It also enables detection of ligament imbalance and precise determination of bone cutting angles and thickness.
“This precision can reduce misalignment risks and minimise surgical variation due to operators,” he added.
Patients potentially endure minimal bleeding and tissue trauma and can mobilise earlier compared to conventional methods.
The hospital currently has three trained surgeons to conduct the robotic-assisted surgery.
It has allotted two weekly surgery slots, which can accommodate up to six patients at affordable costs.
Patients from the B40 income group can receive the treatment for free through the hospital’s medical aid fund.
HRPZ II conducts about 150 joint replacement surgeries annually, including 110 knee procedures.
Last year, it performed 80 knee replacement surgeries, with 25 being bilateral procedures done in a single session.
This makes HRPZ II one of the most active Health Ministry hospitals conducting this procedure in Malaysia. – Bernama
