MakatiMed advances surgical innovation and critical care

Hospital enhances patient outcomes with robotics and life-saving therapies

Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) is setting new benchmarks in the Philippines’ healthcare landscape through advancements in surgical innovation and critical care. Under the leadership of Dr. Saturnino Javier, Interim Co-President, CEO, and Medical Director, the hospital is prioritising minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to enhance patient outcomes and recovery times.

“Through the years, we have been devoting more resources toward minimally invasive kinds of surgery,” Dr. Javier said. “All those platforms that allow our surgeons to proceed with surgery that is less invasive are the priority innovations we’re trying to establish.”

At the forefront of MakatiMed’s surgical transformation is the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, which enhances precision, efficiency, and patient safety. Acquired two years ago, the system allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with smaller incisions, reducing trauma and promoting faster recovery.

“This is one of our most recent platforms that allows our surgeons to proceed with minimally invasive surgery,” Dr. Javier explained. “The Da Vinci Xi model significantly enriches our armamentarium of surgical techniques, ensuring better clinical outcomes.”

In addition to robotics, MakatiMed is expanding its laparoscopy capabilities, a standard MIS technique using small incisions and a camera-guided system. This platform, combined with robotic surgery, enables the hospital to offer a comprehensive range of minimally invasive procedures across various specialties, including general surgery, urology, gynecology, and oncology.

MakatiMed is also championing reanimation surgery, a specialised procedure aimed at restoring facial symmetry and function for patients with disfigured features caused by illness or injury. “We intend to promote reanimation surgery as a treatment for people with disfigured faces resulting from clinical illnesses,” Dr. Javier said. “This innovative procedure restores facial features and greatly improves patients’ quality of life.”

Another critical area of expansion is the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support therapy for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure. ECMO temporarily takes over the heart and lung functions, giving patients time to recover when conventional treatments fail.

“We aim to promote ECMO as a treatment of last resort for conditions that require extensive pulmonary and circulatory support,” Dr. Javier said. “This technology offers a life-saving option for patients in critical condition.”
Looking ahead, MakatiMed plans to solidify its position as a pioneering surgical center, expanding its portfolio of advanced procedures and cutting-edge technologies. The hospital is committed to investing in state-of-the-art platforms that improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.

“Our goal is to establish MakatiMed as a leading center with the ultimate capability to provide innovative surgical platforms,” Dr. Javier emphasized. “We are responding to the needs of patients who seek minimally invasive procedures that deliver better results with less downtime.”

As MakatiMed continues to advance its surgical capabilities, it reinforces its reputation as a leader in the country’s healthcare sector, offering world-class treatment and patient-centered care.