en.Wedoany.com Reported - Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has completed Canada's first robot-assisted hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) implantation surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

The centre is the first hospital in Canada to establish a hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy program and remains the only institution in the country offering this specialized treatment for patients with advanced colorectal cancer liver metastases. In previous clinical practice, HAIP implantation required open surgery. Using a robot-assisted approach, the surgical team employed minimally invasive techniques to achieve more precise pump placement through smaller incisions.

A hepatic artery infusion pump is a small disc-shaped device implanted under the skin and connected to the hepatic artery via a catheter. This device delivers high-concentration chemotherapy drugs directly to the liver, reducing systemic drug exposure while enhancing treatment efficacy and limiting the common systemic side effects of traditional chemotherapy. Clinicians indicate that this minimally invasive surgical approach reduces surgical trauma and shortens recovery time, allowing patients to resume chemotherapy sooner.

Dr. Colin Court, a surgical oncologist and head of the Sunnybrook robotic HAIP program, stated that the precision of robotic surgery combined with hepatic artery infusion therapy offers a less invasive treatment pathway, supporting faster recovery and reducing chemotherapy delays, "which could translate into better long-term outcomes."

The robotic system provides surgeons with enhanced visualization, improved dexterity, and greater control during complex surgical procedures, enabling higher precision in delicate surgical environments.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Canada, with the liver being one of the most frequent sites of metastasis. Many patients require a combination of surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and targeted regional therapies such as HAIP in their treatment. The introduction of robot-assisted HAIP surgery may help more patients access this procedure by offering a less invasive treatment pathway. Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays can improve the overall patient experience and support continuity of cancer care.

Hospital leaders stated that this achievement represents a significant step forward in advancing minimally invasive cancer treatment and improving outcomes for patients with complex liver cancer in Canada. As research continues, the robotic HAIP program may establish a new standard for liver-directed cancer treatment nationwide.

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