On January 28, under the leadership of Professor Li Yu, a resident expert in Qinghai, the Department of General Surgery at the Qinghai Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital (FAH) of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) successfully performed the first magnetic anchoring traction-assisted single-operator, single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Qinghai Province. The success of this procedure marks the first clinical translation and breakthrough application in a high-altitude region of the innovative “magnetic surgery” technology originating from the FAH of XJTU.
Traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires 3-4 incisions, while single-port laparoscopic surgery reduces the number of incisions but faces challenges such as the “chopstick effect” (instrument interference) and difficulty in exposing the surgical field, placing high demands on the surgeon’s technique. The magnetic anchoring traction technique used in this procedure, through the magnetic force between an external magnet and an internal magnetic tissue clamp, allows non-contact tissue retraction and clear exposure of the surgical field. This effectively addresses the core challenges of single-port surgery, making the operation smoother and more precise.
Compared with robotic surgery, the advantages of magnetic anchoring technology are significant: it does not require a large robotic arm system, which greatly reduces equipment costs, and it offers more flexibility with a shorter learning curve. Clinical data show that this technique has comparable results to traditional multi-port laparoscopic surgery in terms of surgery duration, hospital stay, and complication rates, but it significantly reduces postoperative pain, minimizes abdominal scarring, and greatly enhances patient satisfaction.
The concept of “magnetic surgery” was first proposed internationally by Professor Lyu Yi, President of the FAH of XJTU. The FAH has established a comprehensive magnetic surgery system, successfully performing various innovative procedures, such as magnetic anchoring traction-assisted single-port laparoscopic liver resection. The FAH also took the lead in formulating the Expert Consensus on Magnetic Anchoring Technology-Assisted Laparoscopic Tissue Retraction and Surgical Field Exposure (2025) and founded the Magnetic Medicine medical journal, solidifying China’s leadership position in the international field of magnetic surgery.
This surgery marks an important achievement in the translation of technology at national regional medical centers. It not only provides patients in Qinghai with a more minimally invasive and precise high-quality treatment option but also highlights the core role of regional medical centers in leading local healthcare development. It is a vivid demonstration of the commitment of the FAH of XJTU to the “patient-centered” philosophy and its service to the people of Qinghai.
