The first robotic HAIP surgery in Canada

HN Summary

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has performed Canada’s first robotic-assisted hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) surgery for colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. 

• The minimally invasive robotic approach allows chemotherapy to be delivered directly to the liver while reducing surgical trauma, shortening recovery time and helping patients resume treatment sooner. 

• Clinicians say the milestone could expand access to advanced liver-directed cancer therapies and help shape the future of minimally invasive cancer care in Canada. 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has performed the first robotic-assisted hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) surgery in Canada, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver.

The milestone builds on more than a decade of innovation at Sunnybrook, which became the first hospital in Canada to establish an HAIP chemotherapy program. Today, it remains the only hospital in the country offering this specialized treatment option for patients with advanced colorectal cancer involving the liver. By integrating robotic-assisted surgery into the program, the hospital is once again pushing the boundaries of cancer care in Canada.

The hepatic artery infusion pump is a small, disc-shaped device implanted just beneath the skin and connected through a catheter to the hepatic artery, the liver’s primary blood supply. The device allows chemotherapy to be delivered directly to the liver in high concentrations while reducing exposure to the rest of the body. This targeted approach can improve treatment effectiveness while limiting some systemic side effects commonly associated with traditional chemotherapy.

Historically, HAIP placement has required open surgery. The new robotic-assisted approach uses minimally invasive surgical technology to place the pump with greater precision through smaller incisions. Clinicians say this can reduce surgical trauma, shorten recovery time and help patients resume chemotherapy sooner.

“By combining the precision of robotic surgery with hepatic artery infusion therapy, we can offer a less invasive approach that supports faster recovery and minimizes delays in chemotherapy — and that may translate into better long-term results,” says Dr. Colin Court, surgical oncologist and lead of Sunnybrook’s robotic HAIP program.

The robotic-assisted procedure represents another example of how advanced surgical technologies are reshaping cancer treatment. Robotic systems provide surgeons with enhanced visualization, improved dexterity and greater control during complex procedures, allowing for highly precise movements in delicate surgical environments.

For patients with colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver, access to specialized liver-directed therapies can be critical. Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Canada, and the liver is among the most frequent sites for metastases. In many cases, treatment requires a combination of surgery, systemic chemotherapy and targeted regional therapies such as HAIP.

Sunnybrook clinicians say the introduction of robotic-assisted HAIP surgery may also help expand access to the procedure for more patients by offering a less invasive treatment pathway. Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays may improve the overall patient experience while supporting continuity of cancer care.

Hospital leaders describe the achievement as an important step forward in advancing minimally invasive cancer treatments in Canada and improving outcomes for patients facing complex liver cancers. As research and innovation continue, the robotic HAIP program may help establish new standards for liver-directed cancer therapy nationwide.

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