Sunway Medical Centre First In Southeast Asia To Launch AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) has made history as the first medical facility in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to introduce the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite, a cutting-edge, robotic-guided technology designed to enhance precision, safety as well as efficiency in spinal surgery.

In a statement today, SMC said the introduction of the AiBLE™ system addresses the growing prevalence of back pain and spinal disorders, which are among the most common health issues globally and in Malaysia.

Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), SMC said low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people worldwide in 2020, with the number projected to rise to 843 million by 2050.

According to the hospital, LBP is the leading cause of disability globally, particularly among individuals aged between 50 and 55, and affects a significant number of Malaysians.

“Given the complexity of spinal surgery due to the spine’s three-dimensional anatomy and its proximity to critical neurovascular structures, the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite integrates the Spine Robotic Guidance System, StealthStation™ S8 Surgical Navigation System and O-arm™ Imaging System,” the statement read.

SMC said the integration of these technologies offers several patient benefits, including enhanced accuracy through real-time imaging and advanced guidance technology to ensure precise implant placement.

It said the system enables quicker recovery through minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, reducing tissue damage and postoperative pain, while lowering intraoperative and postoperative complications.

“The AiBLE™ system is part of SMC’s commitment to bringing international levels of care to Malaysians. With the latest spine solution integration at SMC, surgeons can now plan the entire procedure in advance using a detailed 3D model of the patient’s spine, even before stepping into the operating room,” it said.

The statement explained that during surgery, the tools guide the surgeon in real-time, making the operation more precise, efficient and confident, which ultimately benefits patients with improved outcomes.

SMC noted that the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite, combined with the hospital’s advanced MRI and CT imaging systems, strengthens the capabilities of its Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Centre in diagnosing and treating complex spinal conditions.

In addition to spinal surgeries, SMC said the AiBLE™ system can also support cranial, orthopaedic, ear, nose and throat (ENT), and trauma-related procedures, further enhancing its value as part of the hospital’s expanding portfolio of medical technologies.

SMC consultant spine surgeon Dr Saw Lim Beng said the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite sets a new benchmark in spinal surgery by enhancing precision and safety while minimising the risk of complications and undesirable outcomes.

He said the system integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software with real-time imaging, allowing meticulous surgical planning from identifying the optimal incision site and size to guiding the trajectory of instrumentation and decompression.

"Its unparalleled visibility of the patient’s spine minimises soft tissue trauma, promoting faster recovery and an earlier return to daily activities. To date, we have conducted over 50 cases with the assistance of the AiBLE™ technology," he said.

Sunway Healthcare Group president Datuk Lau Beng Long described the launch of the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite as another milestone in SMC’s journey of medical innovation and leadership in healthcare.

“As one of the pioneers in the healthcare industry, we have experienced substantial growth and expansion at SMC, encompassing various healthcare facilities nationwide since our establishment 25 years ago in 1999," he said.

Lau said the installation of the AiBLE™ system marks another achievement for SMC, as it becomes the first hospital in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to offer this advanced surgical solution to patients.

As Malaysia’s largest private quaternary hospital, SMC currently operates with 810 licensed beds, offers more than 60 medical specialities, and houses 28 Centres of Excellence, positioning itself as a leader in the region’s healthcare landscape.

With the upcoming completion of its sixth block, Tower F, in the third quarter of 2026, SMC is expected to expand its capacity to over 1,100 beds, further enhancing its ability to serve more patients.

SMC is also ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2024 and 2025, and holds the distinction of being the first private hospital in Malaysia to achieve three major hospital-wide accreditations, setting new benchmarks in patient care and clinical excellence.

-- BERNAMA