The recent addition of the EDGE MP1000 robotic surgical system at the San Roque University Hospitals has placed the Canary Islands on the international map of high-precision surgery. This technological investment, driven in partnership with UROINTEC , goes beyond simply upgrading equipment: it aims to transform the islands into an international hub for robotic and connected surgery , capable of treating patients, training specialists, and collaborating with other healthcare systems.
The management of the healthcare group and UROINTEC officials emphasize that the initiative is part of a long-term strategy : to leverage the Canary Islands' geographic location as a tricontinental link between Europe, Africa, and the Americas to export knowledge, telemedicine, and highly complex services . In an island territory where distance limits access to advanced resources, telesurgery and robot-assisted surgery are presented as tools poised to be game-changers.
A technological leap that goes beyond equipment upgrades
The management of San Roque University Hospitals, led by Dr. Herminia Rodríguez and General Manager Sebastián Sansó , emphasizes that the arrival of the EDGE MP1000 is the result of more than a decade of close collaboration with UROINTEC . During this time, both entities have jointly promoted minimally invasive surgery and robotics in the private healthcare sector in the Canary Islands.
In 2023, a first turning point was reached with the launch of the first robotic surgery unit in the Canary Islands' private healthcare sector , thanks to the incorporation of the Hugo RAS robot at the center in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Now, with the EDGE MP1000 installed in Vegueta, the project takes another step towards a "connected surgery" model that breaks down the physical barriers of insularity and opens the door to remote interventions and international collaboration.
Sansó describes this moment as a true “technological breakthrough” that consolidates the alliance with UROINTEC and reinforces the group's commitment to more precise, safe, and patient-centered medicine. It's not just about acquiring cutting-edge technology, but about integrating it into daily clinical practice and the training of medical teams so that the impact translates into measurable results.
According to Dr. Rodríguez , this new platform builds on the group's previous pioneering work in areas such as nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and certain neurological and cardiac surgeries . Surgical robotics thus becomes another link in a chain of projects aimed at positioning the Canary Islands at the forefront of the Spanish healthcare system.
From UROINTEC's perspective, its CEO, Dr. Pablo Juárez del Dago , emphasizes that this milestone is possible thanks to a combination of sustained investment and a genuine commitment to innovation . In his opinion, the collaborative work with San Roque has allowed many patients who previously had to travel off the islands for complex surgeries to now receive treatment within the archipelago.
The Canary Islands as a tricontinental hub for robotic surgery
One of the project's highlights is its explicit aim to position the Canary Islands as an international hub for robotic surgery and medical innovation. Dr. Alberto Breda , president of the European Section of Robotic Urology (ERUS) and a key figure in the development of this specialty in Europe, emphasizes that the selection of the archipelago as a technological hub is based on strategic rather than merely symbolic criteria .
The islands' location, close to Africa, integrated into Europe, and on the route to the Americas , facilitates their role as a meeting point for professionals from different continents. This geographical position, combined with the availability of cutting-edge technology and specialized medical equipment, makes the Canary Islands an ideal setting for the internationalization of robotic medicine.
Breda notes that surgical robotics has gone from being an almost exclusive tool to emerging as a future standard in Western hospitals in just a few years . His estimates suggest that, within a decade, nearly 80% of healthcare centers in Europe and North America will integrate robots into their routine practice, compared to a current percentage of only around 3%. This expansion, he maintains, will only be possible thanks to cost optimization and the introduction of new platforms such as the EDGE MP1000.
The Canary Islands project aims to capitalize on this wave of growth to create an ecosystem of training, research, and clinical practice that attracts urologists and surgeons from different regions. The idea is for the archipelago to function as a training and continuing education center for robotic techniques, allowing specialists from both within and outside Spain to receive training without having to travel to other leading countries.
For Dr. Juárez , this training approach is key in a context where urological pathologies are increasing , while the number of specialists is not growing at the same rate. Robotics, combined with robust training programs, is seen as a tool to 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 Canary Islands, it is the telesurgery capabilities and advanced connectivity of the EDGE MP1000. Dr. Pablo Juárez emphasizes that this is not a futuristic possibility, but rather a set of technical functionalities already available that allow for remote interventions in the near future.
In a community comprised of eight islands, with population centers separated by vast distances and hundreds of kilometers from the mainland, the availability of remote surgery could 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 to establish collaborative networks with hospitals in West Africa.
The project aims to develop a "connected surgery" model 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 the participation of international experts in complex procedures , the supervision of surgeries, or the training of teams without leaving their home countries.
In this context, the Canary Islands are emerging as a natural laboratory for highly complex telemedicine , where care models can be tested and consolidated 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 combining the technological infrastructure with security protocols, stable connectivity, and clear regulatory frameworks.
Furthermore, integrating these tools into daily practice will require enhanced training in telesurgery , both in the technical aspects and in risk management and remote team coordination. The goal is for technology not to replace clinical expertise, but rather to enhance it and make it more accessible to 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 are transforming daily life in the operating room. One of the most significant aspects is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into surgical assistance programs.
According to the surgeons involved in the project, these algorithms allow, for example, for a clearer distinction between different types of tissue , anticipation of potential complications, and even the limitation of 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.
Dr. Breda emphasizes that these systems offer the surgeon a kind of "tactile sensation translated into an image ." Although robotic surgery involves operating at a distance from the tissues, 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.
Dr. Richard Gaston , an international expert in this field, focuses on the possibilities of augmented reality . This technology allows virtual images—such as maps of blood vessels 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 its exact location , helping to prevent unintentional injuries.
This combination of AI and augmented reality translates into more precise, less invasive interventions with a lower risk of complications . According to the experience of professionals, the result is usually a shorter, less painful recovery period and a reduced rate of post-surgical incidents , something especially relevant in elderly patients or those with complex pathologies.
Clinical impact: from urology to other specialties
Although the project's development in the Canary Islands is primarily focused on urology , a specialty in which UROINTEC has a long history, the EDGE MP1000 platform is designed to be multidisciplinary . Dr. Breda points out that its application extends far beyond the urinary system to areas such as general, thoracic, and digestive surgery, as well as gynecology.
In the field of urology, the main candidates for these types of interventions are cancer patients with prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer, as well as individuals with benign conditions requiring precise reconstruction of structures , such as urethral strictures or certain prostate surgeries. Robotics proves particularly advantageous in procedures where millimeter precision is crucial for preserving function and minimizing long-term effects.
Breda's accumulated experience includes milestones such as the first robotic kidney transplant performed in Europe , a procedure that has become more widespread over time 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.
Dr. Gaston also highlights specific advances in procedures such as prostatectomy , which, with robotic assistance, has improved significantly in terms of precision, bleeding control, and preservation of function. In the field of gynecology, he cites as an example the treatment of certain cases of cystocele , where the bladder descends and causes incontinence. With the robot, it is possible to perform an effective correction without the need to open the vagina , achieving high-quality results with less disruption for the patient.
The key, experts emphasize, is understanding that robotics' greatest advantage lies not so much in the "demolition" of diseased tissue as in its ability to reconstruct it with extreme precision . This quality reduces long-term effects, improves functional recovery, and contributes to a faster and less complicated return to daily life.
Data, Spanish context and economic dimension
The deployment of robotic surgery in the Canary Islands is part of a broader trend of rapid growth in these techniques across Spain . Dr. Herminia Rodríguez notes that approximately 31.000 robotic surgeries were performed in the country last year , with urology accounting for a particularly high percentage, but with a growing presence in other specialties as well.
Currently, around 180 surgical robots are operating in Spain , two of which 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 housed in private centers , positioning the private sector as a key driver of technological innovation in the healthcare system.
From an economic perspective, the introduction of new platforms like the EDGE MP1000 also reflects a more competitive market dynamic . As Dr. Breda points out, the arrival of different manufacturers and models is helping to adjust acquisition and maintenance costs , which in the medium term could facilitate the expansion of robotics to more hospitals, including those with more limited budgets.
This scenario opens the door for robotic surgery to move beyond being an exclusive resource for a limited number of patients and become a more widespread healthcare option, especially in oncological pathologies where precision has a direct impact on survival and quality of life. The trend points toward a progressive democratization of access , provided it is accompanied by appropriate training programs and healthcare planning.
The Canary Islands, by positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, could play a relevant role as a benchmark for other European territories facing 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 willingness to collaborate with the public healthcare system . Dr. Rodríguez noted that Hospitales Universitarios San Roque has previously offered its equipment and professionals to the Canary Islands public healthcare system , and that robotics will be no exception.
In a context of surgical waiting lists and growing demand , the 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 will benefit the entire population of the Canary Islands , regardless of whether they receive care in a public or private center.
In addition to its clinical aspects, the project has a clear educational dimension . Dr. Juárez and Dr. Breda agree that one of the main objectives is to make the Canary Islands a center of excellence for the training of urologists and robotic surgeons . This would involve organizing courses, training placements, and specific training programs that allow professionals from diverse backgrounds to acquire skills in these techniques.
The investment in training is justified, among other reasons, by the mismatch between the increase in urological pathologies and the number of available specialists . Robotics, when properly integrated into the care process, can help improve the efficiency of surgical work, but it requires highly trained and experienced surgeons to unlock its full potential.
In this regard, a recurring idea among experts is emphasized: technology alone does not guarantee good results . As Breda himself ironically points out, “a fool with a tool is still a fool,” underscoring 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 a combination of cutting-edge infrastructure, international partnerships, and training programs , the 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 significant shift for healthcare in the Canary Islands: the islands are moving from being recipients of innovation to becoming generators and exporters of knowledge in robotic and connected surgery . With a combination of telesurgery, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and a commitment to education, the archipelago is consolidating its position as a tri-continental hub capable of attracting talent, collaborating with other healthcare systems, and offering its patients local access to top-tier treatments , thus aligning the technological revolution with the real needs of the population.