The Times Australia
News From Asia

.

Vinmec Central Park Performs Vietnam’s First SEEG using AutoGuide Robotic Guidance System for a child diagnosed from refractory epilepsy

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 – A major breakthrough in Vietnam's neurological treatment was recently achieved as doctors at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital successfully performed surgery on a 9-year-old boy with drug-resistant epilepsy, utilizing the AutoGuide™ robotic Guidance system for SEEG implantation.


The patient recovered quickly after surgery.
The patient recovered quickly after surgery.


This marks the first time in Vietnam that robotic guidance has been used in pediatric epilepsy surgery, — a milestone that opens new possibilities for safer, less invasive, and highly precise treatment options for vulnerable patients. The case also highlights Vietnam's progress in approaching global standards in advanced epilepsy care.

A 5-Year Search for Seizure-Free Sleep

The patient, B.Q.K. (age 9, from Hanoi), began experiencing seizures in 2021. Despite various treatment regimens and adjustments both domestically and abroad, his condition failed to improve - sometimes experiencing dozens of seizures per day.

For nearly five years, his family sought treatment at numerous medical centers in the hope of giving their child a peaceful night's sleep without seizures.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30% of epilepsy patients are drug-resistant (1), meaning they do not respond to medication. For these patients, surgery resection of the epileptic zone is often the most effective option. However, accurately localizing the epileptogenic zone - especially in children - is extremely challenging when scalp EEG, MRI, or PET scans provide inconclusive findings.

SEEG and AutoGuide: A Technological Duo to Precisely Locate the "Culprit" in the Brain

Following a thorough multidisciplinary evaluation, doctors at Vinmec Central Park decided to use AutoGuide™ robotic navigation system to perform stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) to accurately identify the epileptic zone. The robotic guidance ensured high accuracy, faster operative time, and reduced trauma to the brain.

After seven days of SEEG monitoring, the epileptogenic zone was localized in the right orbitofrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus—areas densely packed with neural pathways and blood vessels. On June 17, 2025, the epileptic zone removal was performed by Dr. Truong Van Tri and his team at Vinmec Central Park, with technical support from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shunsuke Nakae, an epilepsy specialist from Japan.

The surgery was successful, with no postoperative neurological deficits. After more than one month of recovery, the patient resumed normal activities and play, with only two minor nocturnal seizures recorded - a reduction of over 95% compared to preoperative frequency.

"For the first time, we achieved near-perfect outcome in pediatric epilepsy surgery thanks to AutoGuide™. This is a critical milestone, especially for young patients who are highly vulnerable to major brain surgery," said Dr. Tri.

Vinmec: Advancing Neurology with Technology and International Integration

This successful case exemplifies Vinmec's strategy to build centers of medical excellence through the integration of advanced technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and individualized treatment protocols. Vinmec has been ranked as the No.1 private hospital system in Vietnam for expatriates and international visitors, according to independent patient satisfaction surveys.

Vinmec Central Park is currently one of the few healthcare facilities in Vietnam, placing Vietnam among the few countries in Asia to master this technique—narrowing the gap with global neurology leaders.


(1) https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/mhgap/epilepsy-and-seizures/epilepsy-q15.pdf
Hashtag: #Vinmec


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Vinmec Health System

Vinmec is a nonprofit healthcare system founded by Vingroup, one of Vietnam's largest private conglomerates. With 9 international hospitals and 4 international clinics nationwide, Vinmec is committed to delivering international-standard healthcare through subspecialized care, personalized treatment, and cutting-edge medical technology.

Vinmec Central Park in Ho Chi Minh City is the flagship hospital in the network and has been widely recognized as the top private hospital in Vietnam for expatriates and international patients, serving tens of thousands annually.

The hospital excels across several specialties:

  • Neurosurgery & Epilepsy: SEEG, robotic-guided surgery, brain tumor resection
  • Oncology – Orthopedic Surgery – Cardiology – Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Allergy & Clinical Immunology: Vietnam's first and only center recognized as a Center of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization (WAO), in close partnership with Cleveland Clinic (USA) to develop precision medicine and chronic disease management programs
  • 3D Medical Technology: Pioneer in 3D-printed titanium implants for complex orthopedic oncology reconstructions

Times Magazine

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

When Touchscreens Turn Temperamental: What to Do Before You Panic

When your touchscreen starts acting up, ignoring taps, registering phantom touches, or freezing entirely, it can feel like your entire setup is falling apart. Before you rush to replace the device, it’s worth taking a deep breath and exploring what c...

Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Businesses in Australia

Today social media is a big part of daily life. All over Australia people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected, share updates and find new ideas. For businesses this means a great chance to reach new customers and...

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Times Features

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to ...

What to Expect During a Professional Termite Inspection

Keeping a home safe from termites isn't just about peace of mind—it’s a vital investment in the structure of your property. A professional termite inspection is your first line o...

Booty and the Beasts - The Podcast

Cult TV Show Back with Bite as a Riotous New Podcast  The show that scandalised, shocked and entertained audiences across the country, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, has returned in ...

A Guide to Determining the Right Time for a Switchboard Replacement

At the centre of every property’s electrical system is the switchboard – a component that doesn’t get much attention until problems arise. This essential unit directs electrici...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand o...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy ch...