Hospital Puerta del Mar surpasses 100 bariatric surgeries in 2024

Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar Reached Over 100 Robotic Bariatric Surgeries in 2024

Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar has marked a milestone in its surgical history by surpassing one hundred robotic bariatric surgery procedures during the year 2024. This outstanding work began on June 3, 2022, facilitated by the innovative Da Vinci surgical system, which was implemented at the healthcare center in November 2019.

Of the 112 operations performed in 2024, the majority consisted of sleeve gastrectomies (stomach reduction), representing 54%, followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses at 42%. Thanks to the Da Vinci Xi robotic system, the Unidad de Cirugía Bariátrica at Hospital Puerta del Mar is equipped to safely perform abdominal surgical procedures, leading to reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery for patients.

It is worth noting that the use of these robotic devices requires a specific training process for digestive surgeons, who must perform up to 20 robotic procedures before being certified. Currently, the Unidad de Cirugía Esofagogástrica has two professionals who meet this training requirement.

Since the start of bariatric surgery at Hospital Puerta del Mar, a session is organized every 15 days to perform interventions using the Da Vinci Xi platform. The results obtained to date are comparable to those achieved through a laparoscopic approach, highlighting a notable reduction in postoperative pain. The average length of stay for patients remains set at 48 hours following the procedure.

The Unidad de Cirugía Bariátrica is led by María de los Ángeles Mayo and features a specialized team including José Manuel Pacheco, head of department, and Ander Bengoechea. This team has managed to establish the Unidad de Cirugía Esofagogástrica y Bariátrica del Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Puerta del Mar as a benchmark in the region.