Major Pei-Jung Li, R.N. Head Nurse, Operating Room
Tai-Hsin Lin, R.N. Civilian Deputy Head Nurse, Operating Room
"A tree that fills the arms' embrace grows from a tiny sprout; a nine-story tower rises from a heap of earth." These words by Laozi in the Tao Te Ching serve as the most authentic portrayal of the Da Vinci Surgery Team at Tri-Service General Hospital.
Since the introduction of Taiwan's first Da Vinci Surgical System in 2004, twenty years have passed through the changing seasons. Amidst countless dawns and late nights, the Department of Surgery and the Operating Room teams have together reached a milestone that commands profound respect: "5,000 Surgeries." This is far more than a mere statistic; it is an indelible mark carved by the trust of 5,000 families, 5,000 instances of precision-led protection, and the relentless dedication of countless medical professionals "forging ahead" through time.
Blazing a trail through adversity, together we take root in the unknown.
Rewinding time by twenty years, the moment the robotic arms first entered the TSGH operating room was one of profound solemnity and uncertainty. Back then, it was not only the surgeons who had to master complex control consoles; the operating room nurses also faced unprecedented challenges.
In those early days of "crossing the river by feeling the stones," surgeons and nurses were like travelers exploring a vast wilderness side by side. While surgeons were immersed in simulator training to perfect their suturing, nurses pored over thick English manuals, meticulously studying how to disassemble, sterilize, and reassemble those sophisticated instruments. It was a period of "walking on thin ice," yet it was precisely during those times that the profound "revolutionary bond" between the medical and nursing teams was forged.
The young residents of that era have since become renowned experts; the novice nurses of back then are now the seasoned mentors leading the way. These 5,000 surgeries bear witness not only to the recovery of patients but also to the "collective growth" of this team—a journey from youthful uncertainty to professional mastery, and from unfamiliarity to seamless coordination.
Silent Synergy: The Unspoken Dialogue Between the Console and the Operating Table
The most unique aspect of Da Vinci surgery is that the surgeon operates from a console, while the nursing team remains at the patient's side by the operating table. Paradoxically, this physical distance has fostered a closer emotional and professional connection.
In the high-stakes environment of the operating room, where every second counts, true synergy transcends language. The OR nurse serves as the surgeon’s "eyes" and "hands" at the bedside. While the surgeon is immersed in the delicate dissection of microvessels within the console, the bedside nurse must accurately anticipate the next move. Sometimes, it is just a change in the rhythm of a breath or a subtle flicker of light; the nurse intuitively understands and prepares the next instrument or resolves a minor interference before the surgeon even speaks.
As the ancient proverb goes: "Hearts linked by a common thread of intuition." This wordless rapport is not built overnight. It is the culmination of trust, forged through countless "hard-fought battles" where the medical and nursing teams supported each other through thick and thin. Behind every incision and every suture made by the surgeon stands the steadfast protection of the nursing staff; in turn, the nurses' professional adaptability allows the surgeon to refine their craft without worry.
Passing the Torch: Elevating Professional Mastery Through Practice
"A teacher is one who passes on the Way, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts." Throughout the journey of these 5,000 Da Vinci surgeries, TSGH has remained steadfast in its original mission as a teaching hospital. This represents not only the inheritance of surgical technique but also a relay race of professional culture within the operating room.
We frequently witness senior surgeons patiently mentoring their juniors during procedures, just as seasoned nurses lead newcomers by the hand, teaching them the meticulous care required for such sophisticated instruments. Every post-operative debrief and every workflow optimization is the result of collaborative refinement between the medical and nursing teams.
At TSGH, the growth of surgeons and nurses is reciprocal. While surgeons lead the team to the frontiers of medical technology, nurses draw upon their robust clinical experience to highlight the indispensable details of patient care. This complementary inheritance ensures that the value of these 5,000 surgeries transcends mere treatment—it is a profound performance of professional spirit.
"Peaches and plums do not speak, yet a path is worn beneath them." Steadfast Devotion Hidden Behind the Light and Shadows.
Medical work is often quiet and grounded. While the world may see the towering record of 5,000 surgeries, they might not see the figures of nurses busy preparing the operating rooms at five or six in the morning; nor the exhaustion of the medical and nursing partners as they review cases together late into the night after surgeries are completed.
Albert Einstein once said, "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." Beneath the surgical lights of the OR, this team of healthcare partners is giving action to these words. They may not often stand in the spotlight, but it is precisely this day-after-day, unyielding persistence that transforms medicine from cold technology into a vocation that warms the human heart.
"Peaches and plums do not speak, yet a path is worn beneath them." This honor does not belong to any single individual; it belongs to this team that has trusted one another and grown together through countless days and nights.
Toward the Next Milestone
Standing at the height of 5,000 surgeries and looking back, the sweat of the past has transformed into the grateful smiles of patients and their families. However, for the Department of Surgery and the Operating Room teams at Tri-Service General Hospital, this honor is not a destination, but rather the prologue to another remarkable journey.
Looking ahead, technology will continue to evolve, but the original mission—growing together and standing side-by-side to protect life—will remain like an eternal glimmer of light, guiding the team forward. When the next milestone arrives, we will realize that every bit of effort today was for the next 5,000 surgeries, and for even more lives to be granted a new lease on life.