Surgeons have completed the world’s first robot-assisted en-bloc resection of a bladder tumour using a self-developed, fully flexible endoscopic surgical robotic system.
This landmark procedure, carried out by a skilled urology team at a leading hospital in Hong Kong, is part of the pioneering Agilis Robotics clinical trial.
This achievement marks a significant leap forward in the fight against bladder cancer. It showcases the potential of robotic technology to revolutionise minimally invasive surgery.
Unlike traditional methods, robot-assisted en-bloc resection (ERBT) allows surgeons to remove bladder tumours in a single, intact piece with unprecedented precision – offering patients a safer and more effective treatment option.
This improves cancer staging accuracy and lowers recurrence rates compared to traditional techniques.
The gold standard for early-stage bladder cancer treatment is transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT), which involves removing tumours piece by piece.
However, this traditional piecemeal approach can result in floating tumour cells and incomplete tumour resection, leading to higher recurrence rates and poor cancer staging.
Agilis Robotics’ endoscopic surgical robotic system addresses these challenges. Its fully flexible robotic arms allow surgeons to resect tumours in one piece (en bloc) precisely.
This approach reduces the risk of tumour cell reimplantation, improves specimen integrity for pathological analysis, and significantly decreases the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
Bladder tumour resections are often complicated by the location of tumours, such as the bladder dome and anterior wall, which are highly challenging to resect completely.
The robotic system developed by Agilis Robotics can provide urologists with dexterous and delicate control over the tumour resection process, enabling safer and more precise, even in challenging cases.
Designed with intuitive controls and advanced robotic capabilities, experienced surgeons and trainees can quickly adopt the system.
Reducing the learning curve for performing ERBT has the potential to make this advanced technique more widely available, improving patient outcomes worldwide.
Founded in 2021, the Hong Kong-based Agilis Robotics specialises in developing innovative surgical robots designed to operate through natural orifices such as the urethra, mouth or anus, eliminating the need for external incisions to treat early-stage tumours.
The company’s robotic system has reached the critical stages of regulatory applications to the FDA and NMPA.
It will become the first commercially available robotic system for transurethral bladder tumour resection if approved.
With its unique technological advantages and significant market potential, the company has secured over US$17 million in funding and is positioning itself as a leader in natural orifice surgical robotics.
The successful demonstration of robot-assisted ERBT opens the door to broader applications of minimally invasive robotic surgery through natural orifices, including colon and upper gastrointestinal tract procedures.
