a) Cancer & Robotic Surgery

i) Prostate cancer: Dr Chin has been doing robotic prostatectomy since 2005. His experience now spans more than 1000 cases. His usual surgery time is 2 hours. The largest cancerous prostate he has removed is 120 gm, with the youngest patient being 42 years old.

ii) Kidney cancer: He is conversant with open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches. He did the first robotic partial nephrectomy in 2005 and has since done more than 60 cases without any case converted to open removal. His average surgery time is 3 hours; the fastest being 1 hr 25 mins. The largest kidney tumour he has removed is 6.5 cm. He also does retroperitoneal approach which is better suited for tumours located at the posterior aspect of the kidney.

iii) Bladder cancer: While majority of bladder cancers are removed endoscopically (TURBT), advanced cancers require removing the whole bladder (radical cystectomy). Classically, this is done via open surgery. In 2010, Dr Chin did his first radical cystectomy using the da Vinci robot.

Dr Chin’s Milestones in Robotic Surgery

• 2005: Did the 1^st robotic partial nephrectomy on the da Vinci standard robot in Mt Elizabeth Hospital (MEH)
• 2008: Did the 1^st robotic prostatectomy at NUH
• 2010: Did the 1^st robotic radical cystectomy at MEH
• 2013: Did the 1^st robotic prostatectomy and 1^st robotic pyeloplasty on the da Vinci Si robot at MNH
• 2013: Did the 1^st robotic adrenalectomy in Singapore in an operative time of 1 hour. As this was also the very first case in Singapore, the story was featured in the main local newspaper (Straits Times, 3 October 2013)
• 2014: Did the 1^st robotic radical cystectomy with continent neobladder at MNH
• 2015: Proctored the 1^st robotic prostatectomy on the da Vinci Xi robot at CGH
• 2016: Assisted in his 1^st robotic gynaecologic surgery at MNH
• 2017: Assisted in his 1^st robotic liver surgery at MNH
• 2020: Did his 1^st retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy at CGH
• 2021: Did his 1^st robotic nephroureterectomy at MNH
• 2021: Did the 1^st retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy at Mt Alvernia Hospital (MAH)
• 2022: Did the 1^st robotic prostatectomy on Xi robot in MNH
• 2022: Did the 1st robotic nephroureterectomy at MAH

Dr Chin’s expertise in robotic surgery is featured in the media, from newspapers to magazines and television, both local and foreign. On 6 April 2011, Channel News Asia featured him as one of ‘The Specialist’ in robotic surgery. He has even developed his own techniques in robotic prostatectomy, proctored many robotic surgeons and demonstrated his technique overseas. In February 2012, he presented two videos of his original techniques at the prestigious 27^th European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris.

b) Bladder Dysfunction & Incontinence

His other area of expertise is in bladder disorders, i.e. bladder dysfunction, urinary incontinence. He has collaborated in many research projects on bladder dysfunction, ranging from clinical to pharmacological trials, epidemiological surveys and animal experiments. He is author of the 2^nd edition of Clinical Handbook on Management of Incontinence (2001) and chairman of the committee which drafted the Clinical Practice Guidelines on ‘Management of Urinary Incontinence’ (2008). In the field of female urology, he is amongst the first urologist to perform Tension-free Vaginal Tape (both TVT and TVT-O) surgery, a minimally-invasive procedure to correct stress incontinence in women. He has done more than 100 TVT cases since 1999, and is a designated preceptor for sling surgery.

c) Endourology & Stones

In the endoscopic management of urinary stones, he is experienced in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) and laser ureteroscopy. In 2001, he presented a video of his original technique of stone laser within a basket at the 19^th World Congress of Endourology in Bangkok.

Academia

Dr Chin’s publications include 23 peer-reviewed papers, 5 book chapters, and a book on Urinary Incontinence. He has presented his research and clinical work at various international congresses and lectured in many countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Russia. He is also a reviewer for the medical journal, Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore and examiner for the Urology Residency Annual Assessment.

An active member of the Singapore Urological Association, he held the positions of Vice-President (2007-2008), Honorary Treasurer (2003-2004), Chairman of the Incontinence Subcommittee (2001-2008) and Research Subcommittee (2004-2006).  Over the years, he has organized some 10 scientific meetings and workshops, and public education events like prostate awareness week, continence day, and men’s health symposiums.

Community Work

Dr Chin has been involved in community work since 1998 and dedicated 25 years of service in Marine Parade constituency.