Robotic technology and real-time imaging advance pediatric surgery

Advancements in robotic technology and real-time imaging are transforming pediatric surgical procedures. At the Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Pozuelo, the implementation of the Da Vinci robotic platform has led to successful initial interventions, including the treatment of a congenital biliary tract malformation and gallbladder stone extraction.

Dr. Carlos Delgado Miguel, a pediatric surgeon at the hospital, noted that robotic surgery offers a wide range of applications for abdominal and thoracic pathologies, such as gastrointestinal, esophageal, and colorectal surgeries. The technology provides high precision in small spaces, which is critical for younger patients.

In the field of pediatric neurosurgery, the integration of medical robotics with real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aims to increase procedural accuracy. This combination allows surgeons to locate lesions more precisely while protecting healthy brain tissue. Real-time imaging is particularly vital for managing ‘brain shift’—the anatomical changes that occur during surgery—ensuring that medical decisions are based on the most current visual data without the use of ionizing radiation.