The recent addition of the robotic surgical system EDGE MP1000 across San Roque University Hospitals has placed the Canary Islands on the international map of high-precision surgery. This technological commitment, driven in conjunction with UROINTECIt's not just about renewing equipment: it aims to transform the islands into a international hub for robotic and connected surgery, with the capacity to care for patients, train specialists and collaborate with other health systems.
The management of the healthcare group and those responsible for UROINTEC insist that the initiative responds to a long term strategy: to take advantage of the Canary Islands' geographical position as a tricontinental link between Europe, Africa and America to export knowledge, telemedicine and highly complex servicesIn an island territory where distance limits access to advanced resources, telesurgery and robot-assisted surgery are presented as tools destined to change the rules of the game.
A technological leap that goes beyond equipment upgrades
The management of San Roque University Hospitals, with the Dr. Herminia Rodríguez and the CEO Sebastian Sanso At the forefront, he emphasizes that the arrival of the EDGE MP1000 is the result of more than a decade of close collaboration with UROINTECDuring this time, both entities have jointly promoted minimally invasive surgery and robotics in the private sector in the Canary Islands.
In 2023, a first turning point occurred with the implementation of the first robotic surgery unit in the Canary Islands' private healthcare systemThanks to the addition of the Hugo RAS robot at the San Bartolomé de Tirajana center, the project has now taken another step towards a more sustainable model, with the EDGE MP1000 installed in Vegueta. “Connected surgery” that breaks down the physical barriers of insularity and opens the door to remote interventions and international collaboration.
Sansó defines this moment as a true “technological vanguard” This consolidates the alliance with UROINTEC and reinforces the group's commitment to more precise, safe, and patient-centered medicine. It's not just about attracting cutting-edge technology, but about... integrate it into daily clinical practice and in the training of medical teams so that the impact translates into measurable results.
According to Dr. RodriguezThis new platform adds to a previous track record in which the group was already a pioneer in areas such as nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, or certain neurological and cardiac surgeriesSurgical robotics thus becomes another link in a chain of projects aimed at placing the Canary Islands at the forefront of the Spanish healthcare system.
From UROINTEC's perspective, its CEO, the Dr. Pablo Juárez del DagoHe emphasizes that this milestone is possible thanks to a combination of sustained investment and genuine interest in innovationIn his opinion, the joint work with San Roque has allowed many patients who previously had to travel outside the islands to access complex surgeries to to be treated without leaving the Archipelago.
The Canary Islands as a tricontinental hub for robotic surgery
One of the most outstanding aspects of the project is the explicit desire to to position the Canary Islands as an international platform in robotic surgery and medical innovation. Dr. Alberto BredaThe president of the European Section of Robotic Urology (ERUS) and a key figure in the development of this specialty in Europe, emphasizes that the choice of the Canary Islands as a technological hub responds to strategic criteria more than symbolic.
The location of the islands, close to Africa, integrated into Europe and on the way to AmericaThis facilitates its role as a meeting point for professionals from different continents. This geographical location, combined with the availability of cutting-edge technology and specialized medical equipment, makes the Canary Islands a ideal setting for the internationalization of robotic medicine.
Breda notes that surgical robotics has gone in just a few years from being an almost exclusive tool to emerging as future standard in Western hospitalsTheir estimates suggest that, in a decade, close to 80% of healthcare facilities in Europe and North America They will integrate robots into their regular practice, compared to the current percentage of only around 3%. This expansion, he argues, will only be possible thanks to a cost optimization and the introduction of new platforms like the EDGE MP1000.
The Canary Islands project aims to take advantage of this wave of growth to create a ecosystem of training, research and clinical practice that attracts urologists and surgeons from different regions. The idea is for the Archipelago to function as training and upgrade center in robotic techniques, allowing specialists from within and outside of Spain to train without having to travel to other leading countries.
For Dr. JuárezThis educational approach is key in a context where the Urological pathologies are increasingWhile the number of specialists is not growing at the same rate, robotics, combined with robust training programs, is emerging as a tool for maintain quality of care despite the pressure on the system.
Telesurgery and connected surgery versus insularity
If there is one element that makes a difference for the reality of the Canary Islands, it is the telesurgery capability and advanced connectivity from the EDGE MP1000. The Dr. Pablo Juárez He emphasizes that we are not talking about a futuristic possibility, but about a set of technical functionalities already available that allow for remote interventions in the near future.
In a community made up of eight islands, with population centers separated from each other and hundreds of kilometers from the mainland, the availability of remote surgery It can transform how specialized care is organized. In practice, it could make it possible for a surgeon located in Gran Canaria to operate on a patient on a non-capital island without the patient having to travel, or for them to establish [a system/ ... collaboration networks with hospitals in West Africa.
The project aims to develop a model of “connected surgery” in which centers in different regions share virtual operating rooms, knowledge, and real-time assistance. This would not only alleviate the pressure on local resources but also facilitate that international experts participate in complex proceduressupervise surgeries or contribute to the formation of teams without leaving their countries of origin.
In this context, the Canary Islands are emerging as a natural laboratory for high-complexity telemedicinewhere they will test and consolidate care models that could then be replicated in other island or remote regions of Europe. The key, according to those in charge of the project, will be to combine the technological infrastructure with security protocols, stable connectivity and clear regulatory frameworks.
Furthermore, integrating these tools into daily practice will require strengthening the specific training in telesurgeryboth in the technical field and in risk management and the coordination of remote teams. The idea is that technology should not replace clinical experience, but rather enhance it and make it more accessible for patients in remote areas.
Artificial intelligence and augmented reality in the operating room
The new EDGE MP1000 robotic platform not only introduces the possibility of remote operation, but also incorporates a series of advanced digital tools that modify the daily routine in the operating room. One of the most relevant points is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgical assistance programs.
According to the surgeons involved in the project, these algorithms allow, for example, to distinguish more clearly different types of tissueanticipate potential complications or even limit certain robot movements when they exceed pre-established safety parameters. In this way, the machine acts as a support system that reduces the margin of human error.
El Dr. Breda It highlights that these systems offer the surgeon a kind of “tactile sensation translated into image”Although robotic surgery involves operating on tissues at a distance, AI provides visual feedback on the pressure or force applied, allowing the surgeon to be more delicate in sensitive areas and more forceful in areas that require it.
In turn, the Dr. Richard Gaston, an international leader in this discipline, focuses on the possibilities of augmented realityThis technology allows virtual images—such as blood vessel maps or key anatomical structures—to be superimposed onto the real-time image of the surgical field. If a vessel is not visible to the naked eye, the system can show your exact locationhelping to prevent unintentional injuries.
This combination of AI and augmented reality translates into more precise, less invasive interventions with a lower risk of complicationsAccording to the experience of professionals, the result is usually a shorter, less painful postoperative period and with a reduced rate of post-surgical complicationsThis is especially relevant in elderly patients or those with complex pathologies.
Clinical impact: from urology to other specialties
Although the development of the project in the Canary Islands is mainly based on the urology, a specialty in which UROINTEC has a long history, the EDGE MP1000 platform is designed to be multidisciplinary. The Dr. Breda It points out that its application goes far beyond the urinary system and extends to areas such as the general, thoracic, digestive surgery and gynecology.
In the urological field, the main candidates for this type of intervention are oncology patients with prostate, bladder or kidney cancer, as well as people with benign pathology that requires fine reconstruction of structuressuch as urethral strictures or certain prostate surgeries. Robotics is particularly advantageous in procedures where millimeter precision is crucial for preserving function and reducing long-term effects.
Breda's accumulated experience includes milestones such as First robotic kidney transplant performed in EuropeThis intervention has gradually expanded thanks to increased awareness and improved platforms. Examples like this illustrate the extent to which technology can... open new therapeutic avenues that were previously difficult or too risky.
El Dr. Gaston It also highlights concrete advances in procedures such as the prostatectomywhich, with robotic assistance, has improved significantly in terms of precision, bleeding control, and preservation of function. In the field of gynecology, she cites as an example the treatment of certain cases of cystocelewhere the bladder descends and causes incontinence. With the robot, it is possible to perform a Effective correction without the need to open the vagina, obtaining high quality results and less impact for the patient.
The key, the professionals emphasize, is understanding that the greatest advantage of robotics lies not so much in the “demolition” of diseased tissue as in the ability to reconstruct with extreme precisionThis quality reduces aftereffects, improves functional recovery, and contributes to a faster return to daily life with fewer complications.
Data, Spanish context and economic dimension
The deployment of robotic surgery in the Canary Islands is part of a accelerated growth of these techniques in Spain. The Dr. Herminia Rodríguez Remember that in the last year around 31.000 robotic surgeries in the country, with a particularly high weight of urology, but with a growing presence in other specialties.
Currently, they operate in Spanish territory. approximately 180 surgical robotsOf these, two are located at San Roque University Hospitals, a significant number for a group based in an archipelago. Furthermore, it is estimated that Around 60% of these systems are hosted in private centersThis positions the private sector as an important driver of technological innovation in the healthcare system.
From an economic perspective, the incorporation of new platforms such as the EDGE MP1000 also responds to a more competitive market dynamicsAs Dr. Breda points out, the entry of different manufacturers and models is contributing to adjust acquisition and maintenance costsThis could facilitate the expansion of robotics to more hospitals in the medium term, including those with more limited budgets.
This scenario opens the door to the robotic surgery should no longer be an exclusive resource for a small number of patients and become a more widespread care option, especially in oncological pathologies where precision has a direct impact on survival and quality of life. The trend points towards a progressive democratization of accessprovided that it is accompanied by appropriate health training and planning programs.
The Canary Islands, by positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation, could play a relevant role as a benchmark for other European territories that face similar challenges in terms of geographical dispersion, population aging and the need to optimize resources without losing quality of care.
Public-private collaboration and professional training
One of the recurring messages during the presentation of the EDGE MP1000 was the desire to open the door to collaboration with public health services. The Dr. Rodriguez He recalled that San Roque University Hospitals has on other occasions put its equipment and professionals available to the Canary Islands public systemAnd robotics will be no exception.
In a context of surgical waiting lists and growing demandThe availability of operating rooms equipped with advanced technology in the private sector can become a complementary resource for the public network, provided that clear and transparent agreements are established. The group's stated intention is that the investment made benefit the entire population of the Archipelagoregardless of whether care is provided in a public or private center.
In addition to the care aspect, the project has a clear teaching dimensionDr. Juárez and Dr. Breda agree that one of the main objectives is to turn the Canary Islands into a reference center for the training of urologists and robotic surgeonsThis would involve organizing specific courses, training placements, and training programs that allow professionals from different backgrounds to acquire skills in these techniques.
The commitment to training is justified, among other reasons, by the mismatch between the increase in urological pathology and the number of specialists availableRobotics, when well integrated into the care process, can help improve the efficiency of surgical work, but it requires surgeons. highly trained and experienced to unlock its full potential.
In this regard, a recurring idea among experts is emphasized: Technology alone does not guarantee good resultsAs Breda himself ironically points out, “a fool with a tool is still a fool,” emphasizing that the robot is an instrument at the service of human expertise. Hence, continuous training and results evaluation are central elements in the Canary Islands project.
With the combination of state-of-the-art infrastructure, international partnerships and training programsThe Canary Islands are preparing to consolidate their role as a European hub for robotic surgery, offering both a real-world clinical practice environment and a testing ground for new technological solutions.
The deployment of the EDGE MP1000 and the alliance between San Roque University Hospitals and UROINTEC mark a change of scale for healthcare in the Canary Islands: the islands are going from being recipients of innovation to to become generators and exporters of knowledge in robotic and connected surgeryWith a combination of telesurgery, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and a teaching vocation, the Archipelago is consolidating itself as a A tricontinental hub capable of attracting talent, collaborating with other healthcare systems, and offering its patients local access to top-level treatments.aligning the technological revolution with the real needs of the population.