Florence, June 4, 2025 — The 21st Congress of Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery (CILR-AI 2025) officially opened in Florence, Italy. Widely recognized as the "Super Bowl of Surgery," the conference brought together leading surgical experts and scholars from around the world. Among the most talked-about highlights was the strong presence of Chinese urologists and the exceptional performance of the domestically developed Toumai^® surgical robot in complex procedures.

During the SEMI Live session of the urology section, Professor Xuepei Zhang, Chief of Urology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, delivered an academic presentation on a highly challenging robot-assisted radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy. Known as the "crown jewel" of urologic surgery for its complexity and high risk, the procedure involves removing a kidney tumor, temporarily occluding IVC blood flow, extracting the thrombus, and suturing the vein—all within a limited time window. Even minor errors can lead to life-threatening complications such as massive hemorrhage or tumor embolism.

The patient in Prof. Zhang’s case was a 65-year-old male with hypertension and type 2 diabetes under good medical control. Preoperative 3D CT imaging revealed a high-level IVC thrombus, located just 15 mm below the second hepatic hilum—a formidable surgical challenge. Leveraging his extensive anatomical expertise and masterful control of the Toumai^® robotic system, Prof. Zhang achieved precise tumor exposure, protected key structures such as the short hepatic and lumbar veins, minimized intraoperative bleeding, and successfully removed the right kidney, tumor, and IVC thrombus in one complete, smooth procedure. The operation was executed safely and efficiently, fully showcasing the Toumai^® robot’s outstanding precision and stability.

Prof. Zhang’s presentation was met with enthusiastic applause, and Prof. Michele Gallucci, a renowned international urologist, praised the surgical performance in high terms.

Following the talk, Prof. Inderbir Gill, President of the Congress, led a group of international experts in a detailed discussion of the surgical techniques presented. Several members of the organizing committee even requested to review Prof. Zhang’s other recorded surgical cases to further study his approach. Experts unanimously acknowledged Prof. Zhang’s excellence across all phases of surgical care—from preoperative planning and intraoperative execution to postoperative recovery—citing his advanced concepts, technical mastery, and seamless team coordination.

With more than 4,500 robot-assisted urologic surgeries under his belt, Prof. Zhang is regarded as one of China’s foremost experts in robotic surgery. His team’s fearless pursuit of complex cases and commitment to advancing the clinical use of Chinese high-end medical technology reflects the nation’s transformation from a technology “follower” to a global “leader” in surgical innovation.