Medical facilities in Chile and Ecuador adopt advanced surgical technologies

Medical facilities in Chile and Ecuador have implemented advanced surgical technologies to improve specialized care and reduce the need for patient transfers to larger cities.

In Chile, the Hospital de Curicó in the Maule Region has completed 100 robot-assisted knee replacement surgeries. The program, which began in October 2025, utilizes robotic assistance to allow for personalized surgical planning based on individual patient anatomy, including limb alignment and ligament balance. This technology supports surgeons in performing high-complexity procedures locally.

In Ecuador, the Hospital General Manuel Ygnacio Monteros, part of the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (IESS) in Loja, has acquired a high-speed craniotome through a government investment of approximately USD 22,000. This device allows for millimeter-precision cutting and drilling of the skull for neurosurgical procedures, such as treating brain tumors and aneurysms. The equipment also includes accessories for spinal surgeries, with authorities projecting roughly 15 specialized interventions per month.