The first robotic assisted kidney transplant performed at CGHMC not only marked a historic milestone for the institution but also showcased the expanding diversity of robotic procedures now being conducted at the hospital.
Headed by Transplant Surgeon Dr. Ronald Faller, the landmark surgery was among the 78 robotic procedures completed from January to May 2025. This RAKT, the first at CGHMC, was performed on a 38-year-old recipient, with kidney coming from a 26-year-old living donor.
As of Q2 2025, the CGHMC Robotic Program, which began in September 2022, has recorded a total of 415 cases, broken down as follows:
- 308 Urology cases
- 56 General Surgery cases including bariatric procedures
- 50 Gynecologic cases
- 1 Thoracic case (RAKT)
- 1 Transplant case (RAKT)
Acknowledged pioneer and acclaimed “Father of Philippine Robotic Surgery”, Dr. Jason Lui Letran, Director of the CGHMC Robotic Surgery Center, is actively encouraging more surgeons to embrace robotic-assisted techniques.
“This approach not only enhances surgical precision but also translates to better outcomes and faster recovery for our patients—while offering ergonomic and technical advantages for the surgeon.”
The RAKT team for the May 18, 2025 procedure included:
Transplant Surgeons: Drs. Ronald Anthony Faller, Caesar Cassanova, Martin Villa, Steven Chan, and Ma. Amornetta Casupang
Laparoscopic Urologic Surgeon: Dr. Ernesto Gerial Jr.
Anesthesiologists: Drs. Theresa Menor, Sheila Ranin, and June Lim
Nephrologists: Drs. Nica Kristine Lee, Michelle Wendy Te-Panganiban, Jocelyn Cobankiat Adducul, and Radcliff Cobankiat
