La Robotic surgery has taken a decisive step forward. in Teruel, with its implementation at the Obispo Polanco University Hospital, where the first procedures using this technology have already been performed. The public hospital in Teruel is This adds to the group of hospitals in the Spanish healthcare system. that integrate surgical robots into their daily work, especially in soft tissue surgery.
In these first few days of operation, the robot installed at the Obispo Polanco Hospital It has been used for two complex operations, and more procedures are already scheduled before the end of the year. The medical team's goal is to progressively increase the number of surgeries performed with this system, consolidating its use in the General and Digestive Surgery Department and later extending it to Gynecology and Urology.
Robotic surgery program launched in Teruel
As reported by the Department of Health of the Government of AragonRobotic surgery is now fully operational at the Obispo Polanco University Hospital. In this first phase, two procedures have been performed: an oncological colon surgery and a gallbladder surgery, both carried out by the robotic surgeon. General Surgery and Digestive System Team from the center.
These first two operations, performed with the Versius robotThese cases mark the start of a program that the hospital intends to develop intensively. The plan envisions gradually increasing both the number of cases and the variety of procedures, in line with how Robotic surgery is advancing in Spainalways with an eye on obtaining the maximum possible experience in a short period and thus ensure the safe and effective use of technology.
The medical and surgical management has designed a progressive surgical planningIn this program, cases likely to benefit from robotic surgery are carefully selected. Priority is given to oncological and digestive procedures where precision, preservation of structures, and quality of dissection are crucial for patient outcomes.
The Government of Aragon emphasizes that the implementation of this robot in Teruel is part of a broader strategy to technological modernization of the public hospital network, reinforcing equity in access to advanced techniques regardless of the size of the centers or their geographical location.
The hospital itself emphasizes that the arrival of the surgical robot not only implies an innovation in equipment, but also organizational and training changes, since it requires professionals to adapt to new workflows in the surgical suite There is already very close coordination between surgeons, anesthesiologists and nursing staff.
Operations performed and upcoming interventions
The first two interventions carried out with the Versius robotic system These procedures were an oncological colon surgery and a cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery). Both procedures are considered particularly suitable for the introduction of this technology due to the need for a detailed view of the surgical field and very fine precision in movements.
In addition to these initial operations, a hiatal hernia surgeryThis pathology benefits from the enhanced vision and maneuverability offered by robotic arms in hard-to-reach anatomical areas. The Department of Health has also made progress in carrying out a lymph node dissection in relapsed gynecological cancera new gallbladder surgery and a Abdominal surgery for stomach reconstruction within this same start-up period. In parallel, the hospital is finalizing the process so that, after this first phase in General Surgery and Digestive System, the Robotic surgery is being incorporated into the Gynecology and Urology services.The intention is for these specialties to begin using the robot in selected procedures, such as certain gynecological cancer surgeries or urological procedures in which the preservation of nerves and tissues is especially important.
The project leaders emphasize that not all patients will be candidates for this technique. Each case is analyzed individually, taking into account the type of pathology, the person's clinical condition, and the potential benefits of a robotic surgery versus other approaches (open or conventional laparoscopic). This selection aims to ensure that the use of the robot actually provides a tangible benefit.
This initial phase is also being used for diversify the types of proceduresFollowing the experience of leading centers in robotic surgery such as FerrolThe aim is for the team to gain experience in different anatomical areas and clinical settings. This variety, the professionals point out, is key to consolidating skills, identifying organizational improvements, and adjusting internal protocols.
The surgical team's perspective
The head of General and Digestive Surgery at the Obispo Polanco University Hospital, Dr. José Noguera AguilarHe expressed satisfaction with the service following the arrival of this technology. He stated that it represents a significant change for the team, both in their operational methods and their approach to complex cases, and that robotics was a tool they had been eagerly awaiting for their daily practice.
For the specialist, the incorporation of robotic surgery represents a leap in the quality of certain proceduresespecially in the field of oncology. In these types of procedures, he explains, it is critical to perform a thorough lymph node removal and preserve nerve structures, aspects in which the combination of magnified vision and mechanical precision can make all the difference.
The General Surgery team has organized its schedule so that, in this initial phase, cases of varying complexity are combined in order to accumulate experience in a wide range of clinical situationsThis diversification strategy, they indicate, makes it easier to identify in which types of operations robotics offers the most evident added value and in which it can be considered one alternative among several.
Dr. Noguera emphasizes that, despite the robot's capabilities, the decision to use it is always made on a case-by-case basis. Before opting for this approach, the characteristics of the tumor, the patient's anatomy, their medical history, and the overall context of the case are reviewed in detail. The goal is to choose the surgical route that best fits to each person, whether robotic, laparoscopic or open.
The department also emphasizes that the arrival of robotics does not replace the surgeon's experience, but rather complements it. The quality of the results continues to depend on the surgeon's expertise. planning capacity, clinical judgment and skill of the human teamwith the robot acting as a tool that amplifies those capabilities, but does not replace them.
The Role of Nursing and its Impact in a Medium-Sized Hospital
The addition of the robot has also had a very visible effect on the Surgical Block Nursing TeamHer supervisor, MarÃa Teresa Tolos MarÃn, points out that the arrival of such advanced technology in a center that is not very large has generated a lot of motivation among the professionals and has involved intense training activity.
As she explains, the adaptation of the surgical block Robotic surgery requires a reorganization of spaces, workflows, and functions. It necessitates coordinating the placement of the robot's arms, the arrangement of the vision towers, the specific equipment, and integration with the other equipment present in the operating room, which has required a detailed review of work protocols.
The nursing staff has participated in theoretical and practical sessions to become familiar with the system, from assembling and testing the components to the management of robotic instruments and direct assistance to the surgeon during the intervention. This ongoing training is considered essential to ensure safety and efficiency in every operation.
In a hospital like Teruel's, usually defined as a medium-sized center, the arrival of this type of equipment is also interpreted as a a sign of commitment to innovation and with the improvement in the quality of care. The expectation that this technology will continue to be used in the city's future hospital reinforces this sense of progress in the medium and long term.
From the patients' perspective, the center hopes that the robot's presence will be an incentive for retain and attract healthcare talentThis is because many young professionals especially value being able to work with state-of-the-art tools and update their skills in advanced technological environments.
Clinical advantages of the Versius robot and international context
The robotic surgery being developed at the Obispo Polanco Hospital is performed using the system Versius, a soft tissue robot Developed by the British company CMR Surgical and distributed in Spain by MBA Surgical Empowerment, this is the second most widely used robot of its kind worldwide, with over 40.000 procedures recorded in various countries.
Among its main characteristics is the image magnification The surgeon benefits from a detailed view of the surgical field, combined with the robotic arms' ability to reproduce highly precise and stable movements. This combination facilitates fine dissections, respects delicate structures, and allows access to complex anatomical areas.
In the field of oncology, the possibility of performing a more complete lymph node cleansing It is one of the most valued aspects. Adequate resection of affected or at-risk lymph nodes is key in many tumors to reduce the likelihood of relapse and for accurate staging, which influences subsequent treatment decisions.
Data collected internationally using the Versius system indicates that, in addition to safety and efficacy, many cases show improvements in recovery timesLess postoperative pain and somewhat shorter hospital stays compared to conventional techniques, provided they are applied in appropriately selected cases.
In the context of Spain and Europe, the implementation of surgical robots has spread progressively in recent years, mainly in large referral hospitals and, little by little, in medium-sized centers such as the one in Teruel; for example, the Castellón General Hospital surpasses 1.000 surgeries with robots, reflecting the growing adoption of these technologies.
For the Obispo Polanco Hospital, having a system like Versius puts the center in a position more aligned with those European standards, allowing patients in the province to have local access to a technique that, until now, was usually associated mainly with large urban hospital complexes.
The arrival of robotic surgery at the Obispo Polanco University Hospital in Teruel marks a turning point for a center that, despite its size, reinforces its commitment to offering advanced procedures with safety and quality criteriaWith the first colon and gallbladder surgeries already performed, a growing portfolio of scheduled interventions, and the involvement of General Surgery, Gynecology, Urology, and Nursing, the hospital is beginning a stage in which robotics will be progressively integrated into its daily work, seeking to improve surgical precision, patient experience, and clinical outcomes, always within the framework of the Aragonese public health system and the European context of technological modernization.
