Portimão hospital reaches milestone of 100 robotic surgeries

Portimão Hospital has completed its 100th robotic surgery, just over a year after becoming the first public hospital in the Algarve to introduce the technology.

The hospital’s robotic surgery programme was launched on April 28, 2025, and the milestone was reached on June 22 this year, with surgeons having already carried out a wide range of complex procedures using the robotic system.

The Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve) now has robotic surgery systems operating at both Portimão and Faro hospitals, with the latter adopting the technology more recently.

According to ULS Algarve, the first 100 procedures included 34 prostatectomies, 22 hemicolectomies, 16 anterior rectal resections and 13 sigmoidectomies, alongside other operations such as segmental colectomies, Nissen fundoplications and rectopexies.

Technology introduced “without increasing waiting lists”

General surgeon Edgar Amorim said the range of procedures performed demonstrates “the growing maturity of this investment”.

“This result is the fruit of the commitment and dedication of two surgical specialties, General Surgery and Urology, which embraced this challenge from the outset, as well as an extraordinarily motivated, competent and always available nursing and anaesthesia team.”

Amorim said the objective had not only been to introduce new technology but to do so “without increasing waiting lists, particularly for oncology patients, while maintaining the services’ capacity and ensuring the technological advances are accompanied by the professional and human development of everyone involved.”

ULS Algarve said the programme reflects its commitment to providing more precise and less invasive surgical treatment while modernising healthcare in the region.

The health authority added that the parallel development of robotic surgery programmes in Portimão and Faro is helping to expand access to advanced surgical techniques for patients across the Algarve.

The ULS Algarve board also thanked surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, support staff, technicians and all those involved in establishing and developing the programme since its launch.

Robotic surgery is an increasingly common technique in Portugal. Just recently, a mother donated her kidney to her son in Porto after undergoing a robotic surgery procedure.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.