Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital has achieved a significant milestone in the advancement of Orthopaedic services with the successful completion of its first robotic-assisted knee replacement procedures.
RIPAS Hospital currently performs approximately 80 Total Knee Replacements each year as part of its established joint replacement service. On Monday, 17 August 2026, the service took another step forward with the use of robotic-assisted technology for knee replacement surgery for the first time.
Two procedures were successfully performed a Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacement and a Robotic-Assisted Partial Knee Replacement. The latter also marked the first Partial Knee Replacement performed at RIPAS Hospital, representing another important development in the hospital’s joint replacement service.
The procedures were performed by the RIPAS Hospital Orthopaedic team with the support of visiting Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Sim Wei Ping from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.
Both patients were 55-year-old women who had experienced significant knee pain for approximately three years, affecting their mobility and daily activities. Following careful clinical and radiological assessment, one patient required replacement of the entire knee joint, while the other had arthritis predominantly confined to part of the knee and was suitable for Partial Knee Replacement, allowing the healthy portions of the joint to be preserved.
Robotic-assisted knee surgery combines the clinical expertise of the surgeon with advanced computer-assisted planning and precision technology. The system provides detailed information on the patient’s individual knee anatomy, alignment and soft-tissue balance, assisting the surgeon with surgical planning, implant positioning and balancing of the knee.
Importantly, the robotic system does not perform the operation independently. The surgeon remains in full control throughout the procedure, with the technology serving as a precision tool to support surgical decision-making and execution.
Commenting on the milestone, Pg Dr Noor Azmi b Pg DSS Dr Hj Mohammad, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Superintendant of RIPAS Hospital said:
“We are deeply appreciative of the continued support of the Ministry of Health and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in enabling our healthcare services to continue progressing and embracing appropriate medical innovation.
“For us, technology is ultimately about improving patient care. Robotic assistance provides another tool to enhance surgical planning and precision, while also allowing us to develop the skills and experience of our local teams. Our aim is to continue raising the standard of Orthopaedic care that we can provide here in Brunei Darussalam.”
The programme also provided an important opportunity for hands-on training, knowledge transfer and capability development for the local Orthopaedic, nursing and operating theatre teams.
The successful completion of these procedures provides valuable local experience as RIPAS Hospital continues to explore and evaluate how advances in surgical technology can contribute to the future development and quality of its Orthopaedic services.
Both patients are recovering following their procedures and will undergo structured rehabilitation as part of their recovery.
The milestone reflects the continued commitment of the Ministry of Health towards strengthening specialist healthcare services, developing local expertise and embracing appropriate medical innovation to provide high-quality, patient-centred care for the people of Brunei Darussalam.
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Date: 24 August 2026
Ref. : KK/PR/3/1
