Robot Hugo revolutionises surgical precision at hospital in Split

(Photo credit: KBC Split)

ZAGREB, 5 April (Hina) – A dozen surgeries have been successfully performed at the Clinical Hospital Centre (KBC) in the southern Croatian coastal city of Split using the robot assistant Hugo, the hospital’s director Julije Meštrović said on Wednesday.

The €5.7m Hugo system, developed by the Medtronic company, is a state-of-the-art assisted robotic surgery (RAS) system and the first such system to be used by Croatian hospitals.

The first surgeries using this system were performed on 11 March and have been performed on a regular basis since, Meštrović said.

(Photo credit: KBC Split)

“Today is a big day not only for the KBC Split but also for the entire Croatian healthcare system,” Meštrović said, adding that the Split hospital would serve as a training centre for robotic surgery in this part of the world.

Head of the Department of Surgery at Split University Hospital, Prof. Prim. Dr. Zdravko Perko emphasised that surgeons conduct operations, but thanks to the assistant robot, they can be much more precise.

The robot’s range of motion is greater than in conventional laparoscopic surgery.

“Every surgical technique starts with simpler procedures. We began with abdominal surgery, but we expect colleagues from other fields like thoracic, urological, gynaecological, and paediatric surgery to follow suit soon. Introducing robotic surgery would have been impossible without developed minimally invasive surgery in all clinics and departments, so this is a logical progression in the development of our surgical branches. This is a big challenge for us, but of course, the patient’s interest always comes first.”

(Photo credit: KBC Split)

The robot arrived at Split University Hospital in December 2023. After installation in the Surgery Clinic, the device was calibrated and tested, and the medical staff trained for operation.

Currently, the robot assists in four surgeries daily.