La Robotic surgery is becoming established in Spain as a common tool in specialties as diverse as pediatrics, gynecologic oncology, traumatology, and urology. In recent months, several hospitals and scientific conferences have presented data and experiences that confirm a shift towards greater precision, less surgical invasiveness, and a clear focus on personalized procedures.
While reference centers consolidate stable programs with platforms like the Da Vinci Xi robotSpecialized conferences and monographic meetings focus on sharing techniques, results, and remaining challenges. Everything indicates that the combination of robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and regenerative medicine will redefine the daily practice of many operating rooms in Spain and Europe.
Pediatric robotic surgery: a milestone at the Doctor Balmis Hospital in Alicante
One of the most striking advances has occurred in the Doctor Balmis Hospital in Alicantewhere a child of around one year old and just over ten kilos has been successfully operated on with robotic surgery, becoming the Youngest patient operated on with this technology in the Valencian CommunityThe intervention, intended to correct a congenital kidney condition, progressed favorably and, after several months of follow-up, the child is in good health.
This case reinforces the position of the Alicante hospital as center of reference in highly complex pediatric surgeryThe management of the Alicante-Hospital General health department has emphasized that the use of robotics in such young children is not an isolated gesture, but the consequence of a sustained commitment to innovation and improving the quality of care for the child population.
El Pediatric Surgery ServiceThe team, led by Dr. Jerónimo Gonzálvez, emphasizes that the robotic system opens the door to treating extremely delicate cases. The combination of an enlarged three-dimensional view, very precise movements, and the robot's ability to faithfully reproduce the surgeon's gestures allows for this. to perform complex procedures with minimal incisions and with a remarkably rapid postoperative recovery.
In practice, many of these pediatric patients are discharged within a period of between 24 and 48 hours after the operationwith less pain and an early return to their usual activity, something especially relevant in growing children.
TAI-certified Pediatric robotic surgery at Doctor Balmis Hospital It was launched in mid-2024. Since then, more than thirty minors have been operated on with the Da Vinci system, which places the center as the first in the Valencian Community to systematically apply this technology in pediatrics and puts it among the pioneering hospitals in Spain.
Among the pathologies most frequently treated using the robot are Cholecystectomies, certain cases of antireflux surgery, treatment of intra-abdominal testicles, various congenital renal anomalies, and, more recently, some splenectomiesIn the first phase, children over seven years old were operated on, but the accumulated experience has allowed us to gradually reduce the age of the patients until reaching infants.
The team accredited to perform robotic surgery in the pediatric population The team consists of Doctors Jerónimo Gonzálvez, Patricia Deltell, Natalia Gallego, and Carlos Hernández. They all work in close coordination with the Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Nursing teams in the surgical area to ensure the safety of this particularly vulnerable group of patients.
The platform used in the pediatric environment is the Da Vinci XIA system comprised of four robotic arms, a vision tower, and a console from which the surgeon controls the procedure at all times. This technology allows for extremely precise dissection, preserving very small and fragile structures, which helps reduce bleeding and postoperative pain. shortens hospital stay.
In parallel, other departments at the same hospital, such as General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Thoracic Surgery, also use the Da Vinci robot. Since its implementation, the center has surpassed the 600 robotic interventionsconsolidating its role as one of the national benchmarks in minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery.
Supermicrosurgery of the breast, AI and advanced imaging at the Hospital de Sant Pau
In the field of oncological and reconstructive breast surgeryThe Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona is pushing the boundaries of what robotics can offer. The team, led by Dr. Jaume Masià, director of the Sant Pau-Hospital del Mar Joint Service of Plastic Surgery and co-director of the Barcelona Breast Meeting (BBM), argues that breast surgery has entered a stage marked by... automation, the integration of artificial intelligence and high-resolution imaging.
According to Masià, the combination of high-precision robotics with AI algorithms and advanced imaging systems will allow the execution even more precise, minimally invasive procedures tailored to each patient's particular anatomyThe idea is that the systems learn to recognize the structures of each individual, plan the optimal surgical strategy, and assist in its execution with an accuracy that is difficult to match manually.
One of the fields where this revolution is being most clearly seen is the robotic oncological breast surgeryincluding mastectomies, lymphatic drainages, and complex reconstructions. The specialists gathered at the BBM emphasize, however, that the goal is not to replace the plastic surgeon, but to augment their skills, improve safety, and optimize the overall patient experience.
Along those lines, the Hospital de Sant Pau has incorporated the first digital surgery platform specifically designed for robot-assisted supermicrosurgery of the breastIt is a data-based environment that works natively with the supermicrosurgery robot, combining its mechanical precision with a layer of intelligence that helps configure each case, provides real-time information in the operating room, and facilitates decision-making.
This new platform allows a greater control of the procedure by the surgeonThis improves workflow in the operating room and translates into more predictable results for patients requiring complex reconstructive surgery. Suturing arteries and veins just one millimeter in diameter, something beyond the reach of many conventional systems, thus becomes a viable option in the hands of trained teams.
The Sant Pau Joint Plastic Surgery Service began in 2019 with robotic surgery programs in preclinical phaseIn 2022, the hospital became the first Spanish center and the third in southern Europe to incorporate a supermicrosurgery robot specifically designed for this type of procedure, which complements and expands the possibilities of platforms such as the Da Vinci robot.
To date, more than 500 procedures performed with this supermicrosurgery robotOf which between 160 and 170 have been carried out in Sant Pau, which places the Barcelona hospital as the center with the most accumulated experience on the continent in this specific technology.
Technological evolution is also reflected in the content of the Barcelona Breast Meeting itself, which in its latest edition has placed a strong emphasis on the Robotics applied to breast cancer and regenerative medicineIn addition, the congress has incorporated a specific symposium, “Robotics & Imagin. High-Tech Symposium”, to update attendees on the latest technological innovations in breast surgery.
In the field of regenerative medicine, Masià's team participates in a European program of fat bankingLed from Bologna, this center works with the largest series of cases on the continent. During oncological surgery, a portion of autologous fat is extracted, processed, and stored in a specialized bank for later use in volumetric or symmetry corrections, if necessary, through outpatient procedures with local anesthesia.
This approach allows reduce risks, shorten operating room times and optimize resources of the healthcare system, with the added advantage that the fat can be preserved for more than a decade. Furthermore, specialists emphasize that adipose tissue from younger patients offers greater regenerative capacity, and that cryopreservation can enhance cellular activity upon reimplantation.
Alongside its scientific content, the BBM has established itself as an innovative model of knowledge transfer in breast surgeryThe congress combines rigorous presentations with dynamic formats, interactive sessions, use of applications for anonymous questions and participatory activities that seek to maintain attention without sacrificing scientific rigor, attracting hundreds of professionals from around the world each year.
Robotic hip and knee arthroplasty: Valladolid as a meeting point
La Orthopedic and trauma surgery is also integrating robotics. in their routine practice, especially in the arthroplasty of large joints. An example of this is the 'Valladolid Robotic Arthroplasty Meeting', organized by the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Department of the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, which has established itself as one of the leading national events in this field.
The meeting, which brings together more than 120 specialists from various Spanish hospitals Offered both in person and online, the course focuses on the latest robotic hip and knee arthroplasty techniques. Over two days, scientific sessions combine live surgical procedures with discussions and detailed case analyses.
The organizers are presenting the congress as a immersive training experiencewhere attendees can observe hip and knee replacement surgeries performed with robotic systems, follow expert comments in real time, and ask questions about indications, preoperative planning, technical execution, and clinical results.
Among the central themes, the analysis of the New alignment models in total knee replacementThe role of robots in complex hip cases, the learning curve associated with these technologies, and how to optimize surgical team performance are all discussed. The discussion also explores how artificial intelligence can further refine precision and improve medium- and long-term outcomes.
The program includes live surgeries broadcast from the hospitalThese presentations are then discussed and reviewed with the audience, and the program also includes workshops and interactive sessions geared towards practicing surgeons, residents in training, and students of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering. Reduced registration fees have been arranged for the latter group to facilitate their access to this rapidly expanding field.
In addition to strictly clinical content, the meeting takes advantage of digital tools such as a specific mobile application This allows users to consult the updated program, ask questions, participate in real-time voting, and enhance the participatory aspect of the conference. All of this contributes to consolidating Valladolid's position as one of the leading centers in robotic arthroplasty in Spain.
Alcazaba Conference in Almería: Robotic Surgery and Advanced Uro-Oncology
In the field of urologic oncologyThe province of Almería has become another national benchmark thanks to the Robotic and Uro-Oncological Surgery Conference at AlcazabaOrganized by the Torrecárdenas University Hospital, the conference brings together surgeons and specialists from across Spain for two days to observe live surgeries and share treatment protocols for prostate, kidney, and urothelial cancer.
The core of the program is a Live practical demonstration of robotic surgeryThis was combined with academic sessions focused on uro-oncology. According to the coordinator of the conference, José Ignacio Abad, this type of meeting helps to expand the use of advanced technologies, especially in complex surgeries, and to incorporate new techniques into the daily practice of urology services.
From the patient's point of view, robotic surgery allows Less invasive procedures, with less bleeding, less pain, and a faster recoveryAt Torrecárdenas, it is emphasized that the intensive use of the Da Vinci robot in the surgical schedule, with several days a week dedicated to it, results in direct benefits for patients with complicated oncological and reconstructive pathologies.
During the sessions, progress is reviewed in advanced prostate cancer, metastatic kidney cancer, and urothelial tumorsThis includes the role of immunotherapy, new treatment regimens, and protocols aimed at preserving the bladder whenever possible. The goal is to improve survival and quality of life, avoiding radical procedures when a safe alternative exists.
Despite the hospital's technological level and the widespread implementation of robotic surgery in urology, those in charge acknowledge that there are still problems. significant challenges in human resourcesThe demand for urologists is high both nationally and internationally, and strengthening staffing remains a priority to reduce waiting lists and keep pace with therapeutic innovations.
Gynecological robotic surgery and complex management of endometriosis
La gynecology It is another specialty where robotic surgery is making a difference, especially in the treatment of complex pathologies such as deep endometriosisAt the La Luz University Hospital in Madrid, gynecologist Jaime Siegrist and his team have performed highly complex procedures with the Da Vinci Xi robot on patients with bilateral ovarian cysts, multiple peritoneal implants, and deep nodules.
In one of these cases, the surgery included Multiple cystectomies in both ovaries, resection of endometriotic nodules and implants, release of pelvic adhesions, and complete anatomical reconstruction of the female pelvisAll of this was carried out following the principles of surgical naprotechnology, which prioritizes the restoration of the anatomy and natural function of the reproductive system.
Deep endometriosis usually presents with fibrosis, extensive adhesions, and significant distortion of pelvic anatomyThese lesions can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines, or bladder. In this context, robotics provides an enhanced three-dimensional view and precise movements that facilitate the complete resection of the lesions while preserving, as much as possible, healthy structures.
Thanks to the use of the Da Vinci Xi robot, the team was able to Remove all visible lesions and reconstruct the pelviswith the dual purpose of controlling pain and preserving the patient's fertility. Furthermore, the less invasive nature of robotic approaches helps reduce intraoperative bleeding, decreases the risk of complications, and typically results in a shorter hospital stay.
Specialists insist that addressing advanced endometriosis requires teams with extensive experience and a multidisciplinary visionIn this approach, gynecologists, general surgeons, urologists, radiologists, and anesthesiologists work in a coordinated manner. Robotic surgery is thus integrated into a comprehensive approach focused not only on symptom management but also on... functional recovery and preservation of reproductive capacity in women of childbearing age.
Taken together, the cases and encounters described show how the Robotic surgery is ceasing to be a rarity and is becoming an everyday tool. in multiple medical specialties in Spain. From supermicrosurgery of the breast and hip and knee arthroplasty to advanced uro-oncology and pediatric surgery, hospitals are leveraging these platforms to offer more precise, less invasive treatments better adapted to the needs of each patient, while laying the groundwork for fully integrating artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and regenerative medicine into the operating rooms of the future.
