The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved eleven robotic surgery systems for use in the NHS, with a focus on enhancing soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures.

Among the six robotic systems recommended for orthopaedic surgeries are the Apollo Knee System, CORI Surgical System, Mako SmartRobotics, ROSA Knee Solution, SkyWalker Robotic-assisted technology, and VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.

Five robotic systems for soft tissue procedures, including the Da Vinci SP, Da Vinci X, Da Vinci Xi, Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System, and Senhance Surgical System, received conditional approval.

Dr. Anastasia Chalkidou from NICE emphasized that data collected over the next three years will be crucial for evaluating the impact of these technologies on patient care and NHS resource allocation.

Health officials anticipate that the adoption of these robotic systems will lead to shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times, and reduced risks of complications for patients.

John McGrath noted that a national strategy is being developed to ensure equitable access to robotic surgery across the UK, with guidance expected to be released soon.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, highlighted the significance of robotic surgery in improving healthcare quality and expediting patient treatment.

Despite the approval, the actual number of robotic systems in use at NHS centers and the availability of trained staff remain uncertain.

NICE's Early Value Assessment process requires robust evidence on the systems' effectiveness, including surgeon learning curves and patient outcomes, before broader NHS adoption can occur.

Each robotic surgery system is priced between £500,000 and £1.5 million and will primarily be deployed in specialized centers performing numerous procedures annually.

The integration of these robotic technologies will allow the NHS to maximize patient benefits while collecting evidence to validate their effectiveness and guide future implementation decisions.

The approved systems will be utilized over the next three years as data is collected on their impact on hospital stays, waiting lists, training resources, and overall costs.