New Research Explores Access to Minimally Invasive Care and the Impact of Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG) announced two significant studies highlighting the impact of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) on healthcare accessibility. The first study, published in the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, examined minimally invasive surgery (MIS) deserts and found that surgeon characteristics account for nearly two-thirds of variation in MIS use.
The second study, published in Annals of Surgery Open, analyzed data from 408 U.S. hospitals between 2016-2022. Hospitals implementing RAS saw MIS rates increase from 60.5% to 65.8%, compared to minimal growth (56.1% to 57.0%) in non-RAS hospitals. The greatest improvements were observed in hernia repairs and colorectal resections.
The research demonstrates that RAS helps overcome traditional laparoscopy barriers through shorter learning curves for surgeons and improved visualization, ultimately expanding patient access to minimally invasive procedures across various demographics.
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG) ha annunciato due studi importanti che evidenziano l'impatto della chirurgia assistita da robot (RAS) sull'accessibilità alle cure sanitarie. Il primo studio, pubblicato sul Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, ha esaminato le aree con scarsa presenza di chirurgia minimamente invasiva (MIS) e ha rilevato che le caratteristiche del chirurgo spiegano quasi due terzi delle variazioni nell'uso della MIS.
Il secondo studio, pubblicato su Annals of Surgery Open, ha analizzato i dati di 408 ospedali statunitensi dal 2016 al 2022. Negli ospedali che hanno adottato la RAS, i tassi di MIS sono aumentati dal 60,5% al 65,8%, rispetto a una crescita minima (dal 56,1% al 57,0%) negli ospedali senza RAS. I maggiori miglioramenti si sono osservati nelle riparazioni di ernie e nelle resezioni colorettali.
La ricerca dimostra che la RAS aiuta a superare le barriere tradizionali della laparoscopia grazie a curve di apprendimento più brevi per i chirurghi e a una migliore visualizzazione, ampliando così l'accesso dei pazienti a procedure minimamente invasive in diverse fasce demografiche.
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG) anunció dos estudios importantes que destacan el impacto de la cirugía asistida por robot (RAS) en la accesibilidad a la atención médica. El primer estudio, publicado en el Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, examinó las zonas con escaso acceso a cirugía mínimamente invasiva (MIS) y encontró que las características del cirujano explican casi dos tercios de la variación en el uso de MIS.
El segundo estudio, publicado en Annals of Surgery Open, analizó datos de 408 hospitales de EE. UU. entre 2016 y 2022. Los hospitales que implementaron RAS vieron aumentar las tasas de MIS del 60,5 % al 65,8 %, en comparación con un crecimiento mínimo (del 56,1 % al 57,0 %) en hospitales sin RAS. Las mayores mejoras se observaron en reparaciones de hernias y resecciones colorrectales.
La investigación demuestra que la RAS ayuda a superar las barreras tradicionales de la laparoscopía mediante curvas de aprendizaje más cortas para los cirujanos y una mejor visualización, ampliando así el acceso de los pacientes a procedimientos mínimamente invasivos en diversas demografías.
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG)는 로봇 보조 수술(RAS)이 의료 접근성에 미치는 영향을 강조하는 두 가지 중요한 연구 결과를 발표했습니다. 첫 번째 연구는 Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons에 게재되었으며, 최소 침습 수술(MIS) 사막 지역을 조사한 결과, MIS 사용 차이의 거의 3분의 2가 외과의사의 특성에 기인한다는 것을 밝혔습니다.
두 번째 연구는 Annals of Surgery Open에 발표되었으며, 2016년부터 2022년까지 미국 내 408개 병원의 데이터를 분석했습니다. RAS를 도입한 병원에서는 MIS 비율이 60.5%에서 65.8%로 증가한 반면, RAS가 없는 병원에서는 56.1%에서 57.0%로 미미한 증가에 그쳤습니다. 가장 큰 개선은 탈장 수술과 대장항문 절제술에서 나타났습니다.
이 연구는 RAS가 외과의사의 학습 곡선을 단축시키고 시야를 향상시켜 기존 복강경 수술의 한계를 극복함으로써 다양한 인구 집단에서 환자의 최소 침습 수술 접근성을 확대한다는 점을 보여줍니다.
Intuitive (NASDAQ : ISRG) a annoncé deux études majeures mettant en lumière l'impact de la chirurgie assistée par robot (RAS) sur l'accessibilité aux soins de santé. La première étude, publiée dans le Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, a examiné les zones dites « déserts » de chirurgie mini-invasive (MIS) et a révélé que les caractéristiques des chirurgiens expliquent près des deux tiers de la variation dans l'utilisation de la MIS.
La deuxième étude, publiée dans Annals of Surgery Open, a analysé les données de 408 hôpitaux américains entre 2016 et 2022. Les hôpitaux ayant adopté la RAS ont vu les taux de MIS passer de 60,5 % à 65,8 %, contre une croissance minimale (de 56,1 % à 57,0 %) dans les hôpitaux sans RAS. Les plus grandes améliorations ont été observées dans les réparations de hernies et les résections colorectales.
Cette recherche démontre que la RAS aide à surmonter les barrières traditionnelles de la laparoscopie grâce à des courbes d'apprentissage plus courtes pour les chirurgiens et une meilleure visualisation, élargissant ainsi l'accès des patients aux procédures mini-invasives à travers diverses populations.
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG) hat zwei bedeutende Studien veröffentlicht, die die Auswirkungen der robotergestützten Chirurgie (RAS) auf die Zugänglichkeit im Gesundheitswesen hervorheben. Die erste Studie, veröffentlicht im Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, untersuchte Gebiete mit geringem Einsatz minimal-invasiver Chirurgie (MIS) und stellte fest, dass die Eigenschaften der Chirurgen fast zwei Drittel der Variation in der MIS-Nutzung erklären.
Die zweite Studie, veröffentlicht in Annals of Surgery Open, analysierte Daten von 408 US-Krankenhäusern aus den Jahren 2016 bis 2022. Krankenhäuser mit RAS verzeichneten einen Anstieg der MIS-Raten von 60,5 % auf 65,8 %, während Krankenhäuser ohne RAS nur ein geringes Wachstum von 56,1 % auf 57,0 % verzeichneten. Die größten Verbesserungen zeigten sich bei Leistenbruch-Operationen und kolorektalen Resektionen.
Die Forschung zeigt, dass RAS hilft, traditionelle Barrieren der Laparoskopie durch kürzere Lernkurven für Chirurgen und verbesserte Visualisierung zu überwinden, wodurch der Zugang der Patienten zu minimal-invasiven Verfahren in verschiedenen Bevölkerungsgruppen erweitert wird.
- Significant increase in minimally invasive surgery rates (60.5% to 65.8%) at hospitals implementing RAS
- Demonstrated effectiveness in expanding access to minimally invasive procedures across different demographics
- Shorter learning curve for surgeons compared to traditional laparoscopy
- Strong adoption in high-value procedures (hernia repairs and colorectal resections)
- None.
Insights
Intuitive's research validates robotic surgery expands minimally invasive care access, not just replacing laparoscopy—strengthening their market leadership position.
These newly published studies provide compelling evidence-based validation of Intuitive's long-standing value proposition that robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) genuinely expands the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) market. The data directly counters a persistent criticism that robotics merely shifts procedures from laparoscopy without increasing overall MIS rates.
The research identified that hospitals adopting RAS saw MIS rates increase from
Particularly notable is the finding that surgeon characteristics account for nearly
The "medical desert" concept introduced in the first study creates a compelling narrative for expanding RAS into underserved markets. With over 16 million patients already treated using Intuitive technologies, these findings suggest significant untapped potential remains, particularly in hernia repairs and colorectal resections where the largest gains were observed.
For Intuitive, this research strengthens their competitive positioning against newer market entrants by documenting their platform's ability to meaningfully improve care access across diverse patient populations, validating their premium positioning in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Evidence shows robotic surgery significantly expands minimally invasive care access, particularly benefiting medical deserts and enabling broader patient reach.
These studies address a critical healthcare delivery challenge: the uneven distribution of minimally invasive surgical capabilities across healthcare systems. The research convincingly demonstrates that robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) functions as a catalyst for expanding minimally invasive surgery (MIS) rather than simply shifting techniques.
The identification of "MIS deserts" represents an important framework for healthcare policy discussions. By highlighting that surgeon characteristics account for
Hospital administrators should note the compelling adoption pattern: facilities implementing RAS experienced a
The demographic analysis showing expanded access for patients over 35 and those with Medicare/commercial insurance is particularly significant, as these represent the majority of surgical candidates. The technology appears to function as an access equalizer by removing technical barriers that disproportionately affect certain populations.
Healthcare systems struggling with surgical backlogs post-pandemic should consider how RAS's shorter learning curve for surgeons could help rebuild surgical capacity more rapidly than traditional approaches. The telementoring capabilities mentioned also offer a scalable solution for extending surgical expertise into rural and underserved communities without requiring physical relocation of specialized surgeons.
Studies show robotic-assisted procedures enable increased access to minimally invasive care
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG), a global leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), today announced the publication of two studies showing how the availability of RAS helps enable access to high-quality care, improve patient outcomes, particularly in medical deserts, and contributes to the overall growth of minimally invasive care ultimately benefitting patients.
The studies, published in the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons and Annals of Surgery Open, are part of broader research underway by Intuitive to evaluate the availability and impact of RAS. As a leader in minimally invasive care, Intuitive is committed to identifying gaps in patient access and collaborating with healthcare providers to help them expand access and measure outcomes through evidence generation.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Deserts: Is There a Role for Robotic Assisted Surgery?
The first study, titled “Minimally Invasive Surgery Deserts: Is There a Role for Robotic Assisted Surgery?” identified regions where patients lack access to high-quality MIS due to factors such as training availability, location, and/or hospital infrastructure. The study also examined how RAS can enable more widespread and efficient adoption of minimally invasive care.
“Minimally invasive surgery offers profound benefits for patients, from shorter recovery times to reduced postoperative complications, yet too many patients lack access due to barriers like surgeon training or hospital location,” said Intuitive’s Chief Medical Officer Myriam Curet, M.D. “This paper underscores the need for innovative solutions to give hospitals and surgeons more options to improve patient care and outcomes.”
Key findings from this article, authored by a multidisciplinary team including Intuitive, include:
- Defining MIS Deserts: A medical desert is an area where patients lack access to health services. There are multiple barriers to MIS access, and patients in these areas may undergo open surgery more often, missing out on the benefits of MIS.
- Identifying Barriers to MIS Access: Surgeon characteristics, including training, board certification, years of practice, and procedure volume, accounted for nearly two-thirds of variation in MIS use for colectomy. Patient sociodemographic characteristics accounted for nearly 30 percent, and hospital characteristics, such as rural or urban location, academic status, and procedure volume accounted for about 7 percent.
- Impact of Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Addressing surgeon training could result in significant improvement in MIS use. RAS offers surgeons a shorter learning curve compared to traditional laparoscopy, allowing clinicians to become proficient more quickly. Telementoring and remote surgical support could further extend the reach of experienced surgeons into underserved areas.
Rates of Minimally Invasive Surgery after Introduction of Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Common General Surgery Operations
Building on the previous study, “Rates of Minimally Invasive Surgery after Introduction of Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Common General Surgery Operations,” examined how the introduction of RAS has influenced rates of MIS in hospitals across the United States. The study also evaluated whether adopting RAS helped expand access to MIS across different demographics, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, and insurance status.
The study evaluated data from 408 U.S. hospitals between 2016 and 2022, focusing specifically on 153 hospitals that introduced RAS for common general surgeries such as cholecystectomy, hernia repair, and colorectal resection. The findings highlight the broader impact of RAS adoption on minimally invasive surgery rates:
- Higher MIS Adoption: Hospitals that implemented RAS saw MIS rates increase from
60.5% to65.8% , a significantly greater rise than hospitals that did not introduce RAS (56.1% to57.0% ). - Expanded Access Across Patient Populations: Patients aged 35 and older and those with Medicare or commercial insurance saw significant MIS rate increases, suggesting a broader reach of minimally invasive techniques.
- Consistent Gains Across Procedures: The greatest MIS gains in RAS hospitals were seen in hernia repairs and colorectal resections, where rates outpaced those in non-RAS hospitals.
Prior studies have debated whether the rise of RAS primarily shifts procedures from laparoscopy rather than expanding MIS access. This research adds to the body of evidence suggesting that, in many hospitals, the introduction of RAS contributes to overall MIS growth across populations rather than redistributing surgical methods by overcoming some of the barriers associated with laparoscopy, including ergonomic limitations and 2D visualization.
“These findings suggest that the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery is helping to expand patient access to minimally invasive techniques,” said Zhi Ven Fong, MD, MPH, DrPH, co-author, hepatobiliary and pancreas surgeon, and surgical oncologist, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona. “By removing some of the technical challenges of traditional laparoscopy, RAS has the potential to make minimally invasive surgery a more viable option for a broader range of patients.”
To date, more than 16 million patients have benefitted from minimally invasive care performed with Intuitive technologies including urology, gynecology, colorectal, general surgery, thoracic, and cardiac surgery procedures and has helped improve patient outcomes, ranging from shorter recovery times to reduced postoperative complications, depending on the procedure and individual patient characteristics.
For more information about Intuitive’s efforts to help advance greater access to care and specifically robotic-assisted surgery, visit www.intuitive.com.
References:
- Mitzman, Brian et al. “Minimally Invasive Surgery Deserts: Is There a Role for Robotic Assisted Surgery?.” JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons vol. 28,3 (2024): e2024.00039. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2024.00039
- Fong, Zhi Ven et al. “Rates of Minimally Invasive Surgery After Introduction of Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Common General Surgery Operations.” Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches vol. 6,1 e546. 31 Jan. 2025, doi:10.1097/AS9.0000000000000546
Contact: Megan Elliott, Intuitive
Megan.elliott@intusurg.com
1-669-222-9899
About Intuitive
Intuitive (NASDAQ:ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a global leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic surgery. Our technologies include the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. By uniting advanced systems, progressive learning, and value-enhancing services, we help physicians and their teams optimize care delivery to support the best outcomes possible. At Intuitive, we envision a future of care that is less invasive and profoundly better, where disease is identified early and treated quickly, so that patients can get back to what matters most.
About da Vinci Surgical Systems
There are several models of the da Vinci surgical system. The da Vinci surgical systems are designed to help surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery and offer surgeons high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance. They use specialized instrumentation, including a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments (i.e., scissors, scalpels, and forceps) that are designed to help with precise dissection and reconstruction deep inside the body.
For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.intuitive.com.
Important Safety Information
For product intended use and/or indications for use, risks, cautions, and warnings and full prescribing information, visit https://manuals.intuitivesurgical.com/market. For summary of the risks associated with surgery refer to www.intuitive.com/safety.
FAQ
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