• HM Sanchinarro has once again established itself as the leading robotic surgery centre by performing, for the first time in Spain, simultaneous surgeries using three robotic systems. These procedures were carried out by the General and Digestive Surgery Department, led by Dr Emilio Vicente and Dr Yolanda Quijano.
• The centre is the only one in the Spanish healthcare system to have all three robotic platforms: the da Vinci XI, HUGO RAS, and the recently acquired da Vinci SP, which benefits patients with more precise and less invasive technology.
• One of these surgeries was groundbreaking, as it marked the first time a digestive oncology procedure was performed using this approach. All nine surgeons in the department are trained and qualified to use this technology routinely, solidifying its role as a standard tool in daily practice.
The HM Sanchinarro University Hospital has cemented its position as Spain’s leading robotic surgery centre, boasting the largest number of robotic systems in the country and being a pioneer in the introduction and development of robotic surgery. Furthermore, the centre has taken a significant step forward by replacing traditional laparoscopic surgery with advanced robotic surgery in the field of General and Digestive Surgery, offering patients more precise and less invasive treatment options.
As proof of this leadership, between Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1, the General and Digestive Surgery Department at HM Sanchinarro, led by Dr Emilio Vicente and Dr Yolanda Quijano, achieved an unprecedented milestone: the simultaneous performance of eight robotic surgeries to treat both oncological and non-oncological conditions. For this, the three available robotic platforms were used together: the da Vinci XI, HUGO RAS, and the recently acquired da Vinci SP, the first of its kind in Spain.
“This event represents HM Sanchinarro’s firm commitment to the robotisation of laparoscopic surgery and its continuous development for the benefit of patients. Additionally, the simultaneous performance of these eight robotic surgeries to treat oncological and non-oncological conditions using the three available platforms marks a turning point in robotic surgery and is a historic milestone for the General Surgery Department at HM Sanchinarro,” stated Dr Emilio Vicente and Dr Yolanda Quijano.
Fully implemented systems
The da Vinci SP, da Vinci XI, and HUGO RAS are fully implemented and accessible to all members of the General Surgery team. Currently, all nine surgeons in the department are trained and qualified to use this technology routinely, making it a standard tool in daily practice.
One of the most significant advancements is the incorporation of the da Vinci SP system, which provides 360° anatomical access and eliminates external collisions thanks to its single-arm design. This innovative robot allows access to any area of the abdomen through a single port, reducing aesthetic impact and improving patient recovery.
The da Vinci SP robotic system operates with maximum precision through a single, small incision, which is significantly smaller than those required by other robotic systems. It also enables the deployment of necessary instruments through the same port to perform the procedure. This allows for complex, minimally invasive surgeries, optimising precision to enhance patient safety and enabling faster recoveries.
Additionally, surgeons achieve millimetre-level control with the miniaturised robotic instruments, offering unprecedented freedom of movement in complex surgical areas. Another notable feature of the da Vinci SP is its high-definition 3D vision, which ensures safety, as its articulated endoscopic camera provides magnified and detailed visualisation.
Among the many benefits for patients, the da Vinci SP is characterised by reduced invasiveness and scarring, minimising the risk of complications. Its single-port design reduces tissue trauma, resulting in minimal scarring, lower chances of infections, bleeding, and other associated risks, less post-operative pain, and faster recovery times, ultimately reducing hospital stays.
A pioneer in oncology
Another key strength is that HM Sanchinarro is the first centre in Spain to use the da Vinci SP robotic system for an oncological procedure in the field of General and Digestive Surgery. The first such procedure was performed at HM Sanchinarro less than a month ago, but in the urology department.
Robotic surgery at HM Sanchinarro has become an essential technological tool for treating various pathologies, aligning with the hospital’s philosophy since its inception. HM Sanchinarro and the Clara Campal Comprehensive Cancer Centre (HM CIOCC), whose main headquarters are located at the hospital, have developed an effective care model based on a multidisciplinary approach to cancer patients. Here, various specialists work together to provide the best therapeutic approach. This model, based on translational research, enables comprehensive, patient-centred treatment, supported by advanced diagnostic imaging and robotic surgery technologies.
