Robotic surgery transforms ORs as market expands

Editor's Note

A February 21 article in Modern Healthcare details how surgical robots are delivering faster procedures, improving patient outcomes, and boosting hospital profits.

As detailed in the article, the global surgical robotics market has quadrupled since 2015, growing from $800 million to approximately $3 to $3.5 billion in 2023 amid growing surgeon interest, as measured by consulting firm Bain & Company. Meanwhile, major medical technology companies are intensifying focus on robotic systems.

As an example, the article cites Intuitive Surgical, which received FDA clearance for its da Vinci 5 model last March, subsequently selling 362 units and facilitating over 32,000 procedures in 2024. The company's overall system sales increased by more than 11% year-over-year, while US procedure volume grew from approximately 1.5 million in 2023 to 1.8 million in 2024,.

Johnson & Johnson is also making substantial investments in robotics. According to the article, the company received FDA approval for investigational device exemption for its Ottava surgical system in November, allowing clinical trials to begin across the U.S. The system features four arms attached to the operating table that can be stored underneath for improved workspace access. Additionally, the company's Velys Robotic-Assisted Solution for knee replacements has shown promising results, with a study revealing a 53% reduction in knee-related readmissions within 90 days compared to manual procedures.

Hospitals implementing robotic surgery are experiencing significant benefits, Modern Healthcare reports. West Virginia University Health System's Berkeley Medical Center, which operates 28 da Vinci systems, has documented a 51% reduction in length of stay compared to open surgery cases and a 30% decrease versus laparoscopic procedures. Each robotic surgery generates 16% more profit than traditional approaches, despite the systems costing between $700,000 and $3.1 million.

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration represents the next frontier for surgical robotics, the article explains. Stryker recently received FDA clearance for its Mako Shoulder and Mako Spine robotic systems, with limited hospital release already underway. The Mako Shoulder utilizes AI technology called Blueprint to help surgeons better understand shoulder deformities and evaluate implant options. Similarly, Intuitive Surgical has developed an AI tool called Case Insights for the da Vinci 5 that analyzes procedures and provides surgeons with feedback on areas for improvement, with real-time feedback capabilities planned for future releases.