UNAIR NEWS – Medical student from
Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Rizal
Rachbini Mahlevi, had the opportunity to
deepen his knowledge of robotic surgical
technology in the Department of Urology at
Ospedale Borgo Trento, Verona, Italy. The
activity took place from July 27–31, 2026, as
part of the student outbound program under
the KKN Penyertaraan program through the
Università degli Studi di Verona.
The activity focused on learning about robot-
assisted nephrectomy using the Da Vinci Xi
robotic system. Through the program,
Mahlevi gained experience observing the
application of minimally invasive surgery in
urological procedures, including kidney
transplantation.
Exploring robotic surgical technology
Mahlevi explained that his interest in urology
was one of the reasons he chose to deepen
his knowledge of robotic surgical technology. He noted that minimally invasive approaches
have the potential to support faster patient
recovery.
“As technology continues to advance, surgical procedures are increasingly moving toward safer and minimally invasive approaches. These approaches benefit both patients and doctors by reducing surgical trauma and accelerating the recovery process,” he explained.
During the activity, Mahlevi joined patient
visits to observe assessments and
postoperative patient management, while
also learning about robot-assisted surgery in
kidney transplantation. He also had the
opportunity to study laparoscopic mapping,
the robot-assisted nephrectomy procedure,
and the use of indocyanine green to assess
renal tissue perfusion after transplantation.
Learning from Italy’s clinical environment
According to Mahlevi, one of the key differences he observed while studying urology in Italy was the broader use of robotic technology. This provided healthcare professionals with more opportunities to develop their competencies in modern surgical technology.
He hopes access to modern surgical technology in Indonesia can continue to be developed so that its benefits can reach more patients.
“I hope that the field of minimally invasive surgery in Indonesia can be further developed, both through enhancing the competence of medical personnel and expanding access to modern surgical technology,” he stated.
In closing, Mahlevi encouraged students who wish to join similar programs not to limit their learning to established systems. “Keep your curiosity alive, be willing to ask questions, engage in discussions, and seek new experiences. Make the most of every opportunity to build connections and broaden your knowledge as much as possible,” he concluded.
Author : Maulya Afifah Zahra
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
