Case Study: Matto Central Hospital in Hakusan achieves hands-on da Vinci robotic surgery training and skills mastery with 3D Systems

The RobotiX Mentor simulator provides prostatectomy experience and more

Matto Central Hospital in Hakusan, Japan needed hands-on training to adopt the new da Vinci robotic surgery system for procedures such as prostatectomy. As a small regional hospital with limited budget, it struggled to fund a simulation lab even though simulation was essential for safely building surgeons’ skills and attracting residents.

The hospital purchased a 3D Systems Simbionix Robotix Mentor simulator and created a curriculum combining simulator prostatectomy modules, free‑hand procedural practice, and dry‑box sessions on the real da Vinci system, requiring at least 20 hours of training before surgery. The program expanded to residents, the chief surgeon (who performs 50+ robotic prostatectomies a year) is its most frequent user, and the initiative has increased interest in robotic urology while giving staff and trainees the competence to work with patients.

Matto Central Hospital in Hakusan

Yuji Maeda

Chief of Urology