The National Cancer Institute at Cairo University, under the auspices of Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, president of the university, recently organized an international surgical workshop. This event coincided with the 15th anniversary of the initiation of robotic surgery in Egypt through the institute. The workshop was part of the institute's annual conference, NCI Annual Conference (BGO2026). During the workshop, the medical team successfully performed a Whipple surgery using a robotic system to remove a tumor from the head of the pancreas and duodenum.
The workshop was attended by prominent oncological surgeons and experts from Egypt and abroad. It aimed to continue developing the system for treating tumors and localizing the latest global surgical technologies. The team was led by Dr. Vaibhav Kumar Varshney, an assistant professor and head of the gastrointestinal surgery department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jodhpur, India. This event reflects the evolution of specialized expertise and capabilities in advanced robotic surgery.
Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek emphasized that the workshop, held 15 years after the start of robotic surgery at the institute, reflects a long-standing process of medical development and leadership. He highlighted the university's commitment to supporting its medical and scientific institutions, enabling them to keep pace with the latest global developments in diagnosis, treatment, and surgery.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel Mouti Samra, dean of the National Cancer Institute, stated that the institute was one of the first medical institutions in Egypt to introduce robotic surgery in 2011 using the Da Vinci Si system. The institute was also the first medical institution to establish a comprehensive robotic surgery program in Africa in the same year. He added that the institute's robotic surgery has witnessed continuous development in expertise, capabilities, and surgical applications over the years.
Dr. Dalia Kadri, deputy dean of the institute for postgraduate studies and research, noted that the workshop represents a model for combining advanced medical practice, education, training, and scientific research. The workshop provided doctors and specialists with an opportunity to learn about the latest technologies used in gastrointestinal tumor surgeries through scientific lectures, live broadcasts, and interactive discussions.
The workshop was attended by several leaders and experts in oncological surgery, including Dr. Tarek Khairy, head of the oncological surgery department, and Dr. Ahmed El-Tony, head of the gastrointestinal tumor surgery unit. The success of the workshop and the robotic Whipple surgery reflects the institute's continued development of advanced robotic surgery and its utilization of international expertise to support efforts to localize modern technologies in tumor treatment.
The National Cancer Institute's annual conference, NCI Annual Conference (BGO2026), provided a platform for the exchange of expertise and experiences in the field of oncological surgery. The institute's commitment to developing its capabilities and providing advanced medical services reflects its role in enhancing medical education, research, and treatment in Egypt.
Key points
- The National Cancer Institute at Cairo University successfully performed a robotic Whipple surgery to treat pancreatic tumors.
- The institute has been a pioneer in robotic surgery in Egypt since 2011.
- The workshop aimed to develop tumor treatment systems and localize the latest global surgical technologies.
