At the Endometriosis & Fibroid Centre, we provide a level of surgical care that is entirely unique in South Africa. Dr Viju Thomas is proud to be the first surgeon in the country to perform robotic-assisted surgery for endometriosis. This is a groundbreaking advancement that brings global innovation to local women’s health.

With this milestone, Dr Thomas introduces a new standard in the management of complex, infiltrating, and deep endometriosis; one defined by precision, access, and recovery outcomes previously unmatched by conventional methods.

What is Robotic Gynaecological Surgery?

Robotic surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery that uses precision-controlled robotic arms, guided in real-time by a specially trained surgeon. In gynaecology, this technology is used to navigate delicate and deep pelvic structures that are often difficult to reach or preserve using traditional open or laparoscopic techniques.

Dr Thomas performs robotic surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System: a state-of-the-art platform that does not operate independently but rather enhances the surgeon’s own hands. The system translates the surgeon’s movements into micro-movements with unmatched precision, offering:

• 3D, high-definition visualisation of the pelvic anatomy
• Wristed instruments that move with a greater range of motion than the human hand
• Tremor filtration and enhanced dexterity
• Access to anatomically challenging areas, especially deep in the pelvis

The result is a surgical approach that is both more thorough and gentler preserving healthy tissue, reducing blood loss, and promoting faster recovery.

Why choose Robotic Surgery for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis can be deeply invasive, affecting organs such as the bowel, bladder, or ureters, and often requires meticulous dissection and restoration of normal anatomy. In these cases, traditional laparoscopy may have limited reach and reduced precision.

Robotic-assisted surgery allows for:

• Greater accuracy in identifying and excising lesions
• Better outcomes in nerve-sparing and fertility-preserving procedures
• Shorter hospital stays and faster recovery
• Fewer complications and lower conversion rates to open surgery

For patients with Stage III or IV endometriosis, previous surgical failures, or diseases close to critical structures, robotic surgery offers a cutting-edge solution, one that balances completeness with conservation.

A Surgical Innovator in Women’s Health

With dual roles in the public and private sectors, Dr Viju Thomas is not only a high-volume endometriosis surgeon, but also a lecturer, trainer, and thought leader in advanced gynaecological surgery. He has performed over ten thousand complex pelvic surgeries and leads the Minimally Invasive Gynaecology Unit at Stellenbosch University, one of South Africa’s major academic hospitals.

As the first to integrate robotic gynaecological surgery into endometriosis care in South Africa, Dr Thomas continues to redefine what is surgically possible for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or recurrent disease.

His approach is multidisciplinary, compassionate, and above all, it is precise.

Leading with Innovation, Healing with Expertise

At the Endometriosis & Fibroid Centre, we believe every patient deserves access to the highest level of care no matter how complex their condition. Robotic surgery is not just about technology. It’s about using innovation to restore quality of life, protect fertility, and change the trajectory of endometriosis.