Years of pain gave way to recovery through AI-integrated robotic surgery at Vinmec Da Nang.

Diagnosed with Grade 4 osteoarthritis, 63-year-old Da Nang resident Phan Thi Nghiep began her recovery with AI-integrated robotic surgery.

For the first time in Central Vietnam, AI-integrated robotic technology has been successfully applied in knee replacement surgery at Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital, marking a significant step forward in precision orthopedics and personalized surgical care.

When Every Step Became a Struggle

At 63, chronic knee pain had made everyday movement difficult for Phan Thi Nghiep. Even with ongoing medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, the pain worsened, sleep became harder, and she gradually relied more on her family for daily activities.

At Vinmec Da Nang, clinicians diagnosed her with Grade 4 knee osteoarthritis, which is the most severe stage, characterized by near-complete cartilage loss and significant joint deformity. At this stage, delayed intervention can lead to continued loss of mobility and, in severe cases, permanent disability.



At 63, Phan Thi Nghiep’s chronic knee pain made every movement difficult.

After comprehensive examination and multidisciplinary consultation, Vinmec surgeons determined that total knee replacement offered the optimal treatment pathway to restore function.

A Robotic First in Complex Knee Replacement

Faced with advanced joint deformity, Vinmec surgeons chose the CORI robotic platform for Nghiep’s surgery, representing the first AI-integrated orthopedic robotic application in Central Vietnam. The clinical rationale aligns with evidence supporting robotic assistance in complex orthopedic procedures. A 2025 Journal of Robotic Surgery review analyzing 25 studies found that AI-assisted robotic surgeries reduced operative time by 25% and intraoperative complications by 30% compared with manual methods

The CORI system, developed in the United States, combines robotic execution with AI-powered real-time mapping and intraoperative decision support. As the first private hospital network in Vietnam to implement the platform, Vinmec backs the technology with certified surgical expertise. Surgeons can precisely plan bone cuts, implant placement, and soft tissue balance with sub-millimeter accuracy. At the same time, the platform simultaneously generates a real-time 3D model of the patient’s knee, enabling highly individualized treatment without the need for a pre-operative CT scan.



AI-powered robotic assistance delivers better patient outcomes.

"Robotic assistance reduces dependence on subjective experience while optimizing surgical outcomes," Dr. Le Quang Minh, Head of Surgery at Vinmec Da Nang, noted. "This means less invasive procedures, reduced pain, and shortened recovery times."

That precision translated into measurable clinical recovery. Within hours of surgery, Nghiep was able to stand and begin walking with staff assistance, which is an early mobility milestone in elderly orthopedic patients.

"It feels like these are truly my own legs," the patient shared.

Advancing Robotic Surgery Access

The launch of robotic knee surgery at Vinmec Da Nang marks a meaningful advancement in Vinmec’s mission to make modern medical technology more accessible, according to CEO Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Dung - CEO of Vinmec Healthcare System.

It is also a part of Vinmec's ongoing technology implementation. Over the past decade, Vinmec Healthcare System has built the capabilities to handle complex and previously untreatable cases, from hospital-based 3D printing and limb-salvage bone cancer surgery to CAR-T cell therapy, genomic medicine, and precision imaging.



Vinmec Da Nang has become a recognized destination for advanced care.

Since opening in 2017, Vinmec Da Nang has progressively established itself as a center for advanced diagnostics and treatment in Central Vietnam. With a quality management score of 959/1000, Vinmec Da Nang has also emerged as a credible destination for medical tourism, attracting both domestic patients and international visitors.

The successful deployment in Vinmec Da Nang demonstrates that advanced robotic surgery can be made accessible at the regional level when backed by the right infrastructure, specialist training, and clinical expertise.