UHealth Surpasses 20,000 Robotic Surgeries, Cementing Leadership in Minimally Invasive Care
UHealth—University of Miami Health System has completed more than 20,000 robotic-assisted surgeries, reflecting two decades of innovation, research and expertise across multiple surgical specialties.
UHealth—University of Miami Health System has surpassed 20,000 robotic-assisted surgeries, a milestone that reflects more than two decades of leadership in minimally invasive care.
For Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth, director of robotic surgery and one of the nation’s leading robotic surgeons, the achievement represents both scale and purpose.
“This milestone reflects not only our experience across multiple surgical specialties, but also our commitment to continuously advancing surgical care so that every patient benefits from the safest, most precise treatment possible,” said Dr. Parekh.
Today, robotic surgery is a standard feature of modern operating rooms, with millions of procedures performed annually in the United States. UHealth’s 20,000-case milestone places it among a select group of academic health systems with extensive robotic surgery expertise spanning multiple specialties.
Building a National Leader
UHealth’s robotic surgery program traces its roots to early investments in technology, research and surgeon training. In 2014, the University of Miami became the first academic medical center in the world to acquire the da Vinci Xi robotic system.
Since surpassing 5,000 robotic procedures in 2017, the program has expanded across urology, cancer surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopaedics, head and neck surgery and other specialties.
Innovation Across Specialties
Recent advancements demonstrate how robotic technology continues to transform patient care. In thoracic surgery, Nestor Villamizar, M.D., became the first surgeon in the Miami area to perform a single-port robotic thymectomy. UHealth’s thoracic robotic surgery program has now completed more than 4,000 cases and performs approximately 450 robotic procedures each year.
Dr. Nestor Villamizar was the first surgeon in the Miami area to perform a single-port robotic thymectomy.
In urologic oncology, the Desai Sethi Urology Institute recently completed its 200th procedure using robotic high-intensity focused ultrasound technology for prostate cancer, placing it among the top five U.S. hospitals using the platform.
Orthopaedic surgeons at UHealth have also performed more than 1,500 robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements while continuing to advance the field through research.
Advancing the Science
Beyond clinical care, UHealth has helped shape the evidence supporting robotic surgery worldwide. Dr. Parekh led the landmark RAZOR trial, published in The Lancet, which demonstrated that robotic techniques could achieve cancer outcomes comparable to traditional surgery while offering the benefits of minimally invasive approaches.
That research legacy continues to influence best practices and guide adoption of robotic technology across surgical specialties.
Looking Ahead
UHealth continues to invest in the future of robotic surgery, including advanced surgical suites at UHealth SoLe Mia, where multiple robotic platforms support a wide range of procedures.
As robotics, imaging and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, UHealth surgeons are helping define the next generation of surgical care. With 20,000 robotic-assisted surgeries completed and counting, UHealth’s leadership in robotic surgery continues to shape the future of medicine while improving the lives of patients across South Florida and beyond.
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Tags: Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Dipen Parekh, Dr. Nestor Villamizar, head and neck surgery, minimally invasive surgery, prostate cancer, RAZOR clinical trial, robotic surgery, thoracic surgery