CASE STUDY: Ilsan Animal Medical Center, South Korea

Client Name: Dr. Darren Dongmin Sihn, Director, Ilsan Animal Medical Center, South Korea

Systems Acquired: Refurbished da Vinci Si Surgical System

Overview

Dr. Darren Dongmin Sihn, Director at Ilsan Animal Medical Center in Goyang, South Korea, sought a way to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures on dogs and cats under 10 kg with greater safety and precision.

Dr. Sihn partnered with R2 Surgical to acquire a refurbished da Vinci Si surgical system. The goal was twofold: improve surgical outcomes in small patients and begin building a foundation for advanced veterinary robotic protocols that could be shared across the field.

The Challenge

Performing advanced procedures in small animals comes with unique demands. In patients under 10 kg, surgical fields are tight, tissue is fragile, and complications can escalate quickly. Traditional laparoscopic tools, while minimally invasive, are often too rigid or limited for these fine-scale operations.

Dr. Sihn needed a system that could:

• Navigate confined anatomical spaces

• Enable precision suturing and delicate dissection

• Be supported with responsive training and technical expertise

• Align with long-term clinical and research goals

• Offer a cost-effective entry into robotic surgery

The added complexity of acquiring a refurbished system made it essential to work with a vendor that could offer both transparency and ongoing support.

The Solution

R2 Surgical delivered a fully refurbished da Vinci Si robotic surgical system, customized to Dr. Sihn’s clinical needs and supported through the entire implementation process.

His team began using the system for highly selective cases in small dogs and cats, including:

• Cholecystectomy

• Adrenalectomy

• Distal pancreatectomy

These procedures often involve tumors or abnormalities where robotic precision is crucial. By refining port placement and enhancing team coordination, Dr. Sihn quickly adapted the system for small animal anatomy.

He also committed to rigorous, ongoing training—practicing at a local robotic training center and during after-hours sessions at the hospital. These sessions emphasized intracorporeal suturing and technique refinement.

Results and Impact

Since implementation, Dr. Sihn and his team have:

• Successfully completed robotic procedures on patients under 10 kg

• Validated the system’s effectiveness in deep, confined surgical planes

• Developed clinical workflows for small animal robotic surgery

• Built internal confidence and technical proficiency through hands-on training

The da Vinci system has proved particularly effective for retroperitoneal dissections and procedures requiring precision in tight quarters—situations where laparoscopy struggles. The work has helped redefine what’s possible in small animal minimally invasive care.

Future Goals

With a strong surgical foundation in place, Dr. Sihn is now expanding into veterinary surgical research. Key initiatives include:

• Comparing robotic vs. laparoscopic adrenalectomy and distal pancreatectomy in terms of complication rates, recovery time, and outcomes

• Studying port placement strategies optimized for small anatomy

• Using motion analysis and performance metrics to track learning curves and procedural accuracy

These projects aim to inform standardized training protocols in veterinary robotics and elevate the field through evidence-based practice.

Key Benefits

Partnering with R2 Surgical enabled Dr. Sihn to:

• Confidently adopt robotic technology without exceeding budget

• Receive personalized, ongoing support during onboarding and implementation

• Trust the quality and performance of a refurbished da Vinci system

• Perform delicate surgeries on toy-breed dogs and small cats with enhanced precision

• Pioneer veterinary robotic protocols and research for broader clinical adoption

Testimonial

"Honestly, I probably asked too many questions during the acquisition process—but R2 Surgical was consistently responsive and supportive. Your team made me feel welcomed and taken care of from the start. I truly appreciated your willingness to go above and beyond to solve problems quickly. Any initial concerns I had about purchasing a refurbished system were completely resolved thanks to your service and transparency. I’m very grateful."  - Dr. Darren Dongmin Sihn