From left: Dr Ronald Wong, Prof Patrick Yung, and Dr Chun-Sing ChuiHong Kong’s first robotic-assisted, minimally invasive pelvic fracture reduction and fixation surgery has been performed by an orthopaedic team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). As of August 2026, three procedures have been performed, with blood loss reduced by up to 90 percent and incision size reduced by about 80 percent.
“Pelvic fractures represent one of the most challenging orthopaedic traumas, with a concerning 1-year mortality rate of 15 percent,” said Professor Patrick Yung, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology at CUHK. Conventional open surgery carries high risks of haemorrhage and soft tissue injuries due to the proximity of critical neurovascular structures. [Surg Open Sci 2022;8:23-26; Computer Assisted Surgery 2026;31:1]
A novel robotic orthopaedic surgical system has been introduced recently by the CUHK team. In preoperative planning, the system uses 3D CT scans to map fracture reduction and fixation strategies. During surgery, it leverages real-time 3D navigation data to guide the robotic arm in realigning the fracture.
In June 2026, the team successfully performed Hong Kong’s first robotic-assisted, minimally invasive pelvic fracture reduction and fixation surgery. Since then, the team has completed three procedures at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
“This innovative approach reduced blood loss substantially by up to 90 percent,” highlighted Yung. “Intraoperative blood loss was only 10–20 mL with robotic surgery vs 1L in open surgery.”
“Additionally, the incision size is reduced from 10 cm with extensive dissection to a minimally invasive wound of up to 2 cm,” Yung continued. “It minimized soft tissue trauma, thereby reducing postoperative pain and lowering the overall risk of infection. The initial postoperative recovery for these patients is promising.”
With the rapidly ageing population in Hong Kong, pelvic fractures have become increasingly common. “This advancement is especially meaningful for geriatric patients who often have frailty and multiple comorbidities, and are therefore ineligible for open surgery,” said Dr Ronald Wong of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, CUHK. “Robotic surgery is a safe and efficient treatment option for high-risk patients.”
“This marks a major step forward in the field of orthopaedic trauma care and demonstrates how cutting-edge technology aids in addressing long-standing surgical challenges,” commented Wong.
The robotic system has received medical device clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration for managing pelvic and long bone fractures, and is also listed in Hong Kong’s Medical Device Administrative Control System.
“The position, combination and number of screws are critical to surgical success. Improper placement can damage neurovascular structures or cause screw loosening, potentially leading to fracture displacement. Conversely, excessive screw usage may cause unnecessary tissue trauma, while insufficient fixation compromises stability,” noted Dr Chun-Sing Chui of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, CUHK.
The CUHK team is developing new AI models to instantly calculate optimal screw tract configurations for complex fracture fixation. “AI can rapidly generate optimal insertion trajectory plans, streamlining the preoperative planning process,” explained Chui. “Ultimately, this technology has the potential to further improve surgical efficiency, precision, and safety.”