The incorporation of the Versius robot increases the number of robotic surgeries at the hospital to 1,200 per year and strengthens excellence in complex oncological surgery.
Bellvitge University Hospital has reinforced its robotic surgery capabilities with the addition of the Versius surgical robot, developed by CMR Surgical. This acquisition makes Bellvitge one of the first hospitals in Spain with four operational surgical robots, consolidating its position as a reference center in complex minimally invasive oncological surgery.
With the arrival of Versius, Bellvitge expects to perform 1,200 robotic surgeries annually by 2025, an increase from the 1,000 procedures conducted in 2024. This innovative technology will initially be integrated into the Gynecology and Urology departments, gradually expanding to other specialties.
Dr. Álvaro Arcocha, Medical Director of Bellvitge University Hospital, emphasizes that “the incorporation of Versius reinforces our commitment to adopting new technologies that emerge on the market and that we consider beneficial for our patients. This ensures they have access to the most precise, safe, and innovative surgical techniques while allowing us to maintain the excellent outcomes achieved so far.”.
Greater Precision and Flexibility for Patients
The Versius robot mimics the movement of human joints, with a rotation capability four times greater than that of the human wrist, offering exceptional surgical precision. Unlike other robots, its portability allows it to be moved between Bellvitge’s 33 operating rooms, maximizing its utilization.
For patients, access to next-generation robotic surgery means smaller incisions, leading to a shorter postoperative recovery period. Additionally, there is less bleeding, reduced pain, lower chances of complications, and ultimately, a quicker return to daily life. The cost-effectiveness is high, as these advantages contribute to better hospital resource management.
The first surgery performed with the new robot was a hysterectomy for a myomatous uterus, carried out by the team led by Dr. Jordi Ponce, Head of the Gynecology Department at Bellvitge University Hospital and President of the Spanish Group for Gynecological Robotic Surgery (GERGIN). Dr. Ponce highlighted that “expanding the range of robotic systems with new devices not only ensures accessibility to this exceptional advancement for our patients but also underscores Bellvitge Hospital’s commitment to technology and its professionals.”
Over 15 Years of Leadership in Robotic Surgery
Bellvitge launched its robotic surgery program in 2009 with a radical prostatectomy (prostate removal), becoming one of the first hospitals in Spain to implement this technology. Over the years, the hospital has progressively incorporated more surgical robots:
- 2016: Upgraded the first Da Vinci robot with a next-generation system.
- 2019: Acquired a second robot, doubling the volume of robotic surgeries.
- 2023: Introduced a third Da Vinci robot, expanding procedures to areas such as liver, biliopancreatic, and bariatric surgery.
Since then, the hospital’s expertise in Urology, Gynecology, Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery, and Otolaryngology has enabled Bellvitge to support other hospitals within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) in launching their robotic surgery programs, as well as assisting centers in Spain and Portugal.
Additionally, Bellvitge University Hospital has pioneered various robotic procedures at the Catalan, national, and global levels:
2020: First orthotopic kidney transplant using robotic surgery worldwide.
2021: First single-incision robotic rib extraction.
2022: First robotic gender reassignment surgery in Europe.
2024: Pioneering procedure to remove a rare tumor from the tracheal carina. The hospital continues to work towards incorporating new robotic equipment in the near future.
Commitment to Training and Research
Bellvitge University Hospital integrates training in advanced surgical systems into its Robotic Training Program, designed for both specialists and residents. Furthermore, the Advanced Medical-Surgical Simulation Center (SimHUB) includes a dedicated robotic simulation area, ensuring that professionals train with the most cutting-edge technologies.
According to Dr. Arcocha, “for years, Bellvitge has been a leader in complex oncological surgery in Catalonia. With this new addition, we reaffirm our commitment to research, innovation, and continuous training, ensuring the highest quality of care and solidifying our position as a national and international reference in robotic surgery.”