HCA Florida Mercy Hospital first in southeast to perform new hysterectomy procedure

Miami, FL — HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in collaboration with HCA Healthcare Research Institute, has successfully completed the first hysterectomy in Florida using the MIRA^TM Surgical System. This milestone procedure positions the hospital as the first in the Southeastern United States to adopt this next-generation surgical technology, which holds the promise of offering women access to a minimally invasive option that helps them recover faster — with less pain, fewer scars and a quicker return to everyday life.

Performed through a single incision, the robotically assisted hysterectomy was completed at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical study under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). Data collected from this study will support Virtual Incision’s regulatory submission for MIRA’s use in treating benign gynecologic procedures, including fibroids, pelvic pain, endometriosis and uterine prolapse.

“We are proud to offer our patients access to the latest advancements in minimally invasive care,” said Dr. Ricardo Estape, the surgeon who performed the procedure. “This clinical milestone brings us one step closer to achieving FDA clearance for gynecologic use and highlights our shared mission of expanding access to high-quality innovative surgical care.”

“Innovations like this reflect our hospital’s dedication to advancing patient care through research and technology,” said Allyssa Tobitt, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. “We’re proud to be part of a clinical trial that will help expand safer, less invasive surgical options for women in our community.”

More than one million women in the U.S. alone undergo surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.¹ A minimally invasive approach can shorten the hospital stay, reduce blood loss and decrease complication rates compared to open surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) devices, could elevate the surgeon’s vision, precision, and control when operating through a small incision, ultimately enabling the techniques to be performed on a broader range of patients.² However, about 90 percent of U.S. operating rooms (ORs) are still lacking access to RAS, most often due to complex logistics such as dedicated space, specially trained staff, long turnover times and a substantial cost for the equipment.³

For more information about the HCA Healthcare Research Institute, visit HCA Healthcare Research Institute - HCA Healthcare.

References:

1. Life Science Intelligence 2021 Report on Obstetrics and Gynecology.
2. Lenfant L, Canlorbe G, Belghiti J, Kreaden US, Hebert AE, Nikpayam M, Uzan C, Azaïs H. Robotic-assisted benign hysterectomy compared with laparoscopic, vaginal, and open surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Robot Surg. 2023 Dec;17(6):2647-2662. doi: 10.1007/s11701-023-01724-6. Epub 2023 Oct 19. PMID: 37856058; PMCID: PMC10678826.
3. Hazan, A., Perse, J., Coover, P. June 2022. State of the Robotics Surgery Market. Goldman Sachs.