The 1.7m da Vinci system will greatly enhance surgeons' ability to perform gynaecological procedures. The hospital will now serve as a training centre for doctors from around Europe to come and learn how to operate the state-of-the-art equipment.

At the moment, surgeries are performed at CUMH in an open manner, and large incisions are required for the surgeon to observe and manipulate the surgical field.

With the da Vinci robot-assisted surgery, miniscule incisions are made in which a tiny camera and surgical instruments are inserted into the patient's body.

The instruments are attached to the robotic arms and controlled remotely by the surgeon who sits at a computer console, manipulating the controls while viewing an enlarged 3D image of the surgical site. The robotic arms allow a full 360 degree rotation and eliminate the natural tremor in the physician's hand.

Dr Barry O'Reilly, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at CUMH, will carry out the first procedure on the da Vinci later this month or in early October. "We greatly appreciate the HSE purchasing this system for the hospital, " he said. "The benefits to the patients are that they will have a faster recovery, less post-operative pain and less time in the hospital. The key is that the shake in the surgeon's hand is gone. It's a very intuitive robotic-surgeon."

"Surgeons around the world will be envious of us, " said Prof John Higgins, UCC professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital. "Gynaecological surgery performed with the da Vinci surgical system represents the most advanced minimally invasive approach to gynaecological surgery, " he added.