TMC Performs PH’s First Full Robotic Whipple Procedure | The Medical City

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75-year-old with rare cancer recovers fast after TMC’s first robotic Whipple surgery

By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | July 08, 2025

75-year-old with rare cancer recovers fast after TMC’s first robotic Whipple surgery

Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of cancer found in the small opening where the bile and pancreatic ducts meet, the patient, Gloria Magabo, who was initially asymptomatic, faced an uncertain future

Pasig City, Philippines – July 7, 2025 — At 75 years old, most people expect to be enjoying retirement, not preparing for a major cancer surgery. But for one patient at The Medical City (TMC), a diagnosis of early-stage ampullary cancer came as a life-changing surprise, and what followed was a groundbreaking medical journey.

Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of cancer found in the small opening where the bile and pancreatic ducts meet, the patient, Gloria Magabo, who was initially asymptomatic, faced an uncertain future.

“It all started with bloating. No abdominal pain at all. I went to a gastroenterologist at a hospital near our place. Blood tests were done, which showed that my SGPT and SGOT were both elevated. I was prescribed a Hepatic supplement, which didn’t help,” the patient shared.

She then had an ultrasound, which subsequently showed a biliary tract dilatation. Further tests were done at TMC, such as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP and biopsy, which eventually confirmed ampullary adenocarcinoma.

To treat the cancer, TMC doctors recommended a Whipple procedure, one of the most intricate operations in abdominal surgery, involving the removal of the pancreatic head, duodenum, gallbladder, and bile duct, followed by delicate reconstruction. It’s typically a major open surgery, especially challenging for older patients.

But instead of taking the conventional route, TMC’s team offered something more advanced: robotic surgery using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System. This would mark the country’s first-ever full robotic Whipple procedure using the said technology.

Dr. Maria Vanessa De Villa, a Hepatobiliary (HPB) and Liver Transplant Surgeon, and the patient’s attending physician, noted that patient selection is important in cases like this.

“She was a good candidate for a robotic Whipple because she was of thin build, fit-for-age with few co-morbidities, and the tumor was small with no involvement of the proximate important blood vessels,” said Dr. De Villa.


Advancing Precision in Complex Surgery

Robotic-assisted technology enhances accuracy and control during minimally invasive procedures.

Unlike traditional open surgery, robotic-assisted procedures allow for smaller incisions, less blood loss, and faster recovery—making them ideal for patients who require complex treatment but seek a faster return to normal function.

At TMC, the surgical team determined that a robotic approach would offer both precision and gentler recovery. The case demonstrates the hospital’s ability to extend state-of-the-art robotic surgery to challenging oncologic scenarios.

Magabo was discharged one week after surgery with no complications and has since resumed her daily activities. 

“With my age, I thought that there would be some delay in recovery. But since it was a robotic-assisted surgery, I recovered quickly. Thank God this Robotic Surgery was offered to me as an option. It made a big difference.” Magabo said. 


An Interdisciplinary Robotics Team, Built for Excellence

TMC’s multi-disciplinary team marking a milestone in advanced minimally invasive surgery.

The procedure was made possible through seamless collaboration across disciplines. Dr. Raji Shamaileh, Medical Oncologist at the TMC Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute, referred the patient to Dr. De Villa, who assembled a team of robotics-trained HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary) surgeons Dr. Dante Ang, Dr. Ryan Barrosso and Dr. Emmanuel Uy Hao II. TMC HPB fellow-in-training, Dr. Marika Mañago, assisted as the bedside surgeon.

Together with specialized operating room nurses and technicians, the team executed the procedure with meticulous coordination.

“Robotic-assisted surgeries are now widely being done around the world, although we are in a developing country, with teamwork and support from the administration, I think we can catch up with the world,” said Dr. Ang.

This milestone reflects TMC’s commitment to advancing the frontiers of surgical care, making complex procedures safer, less invasive, and more accessible to patients who can benefit from cutting-edge solutions.

For more information on TMC Robotics Surgery, fill out the form below and our team will reach out to you.


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