The institution announced that Tomar Hospital performed a radical prostatectomy on a patient with prostate cancer.

ULS Médio Tejo, based in Torres Novas, in the district of Santarém, introduces this technology to the Urology speciality in the region, as it commits to clinical differentiation and the modernisation of surgical resources in hospitals.

Improving surgical precision

Director of Urology João Carlos Dias stated, “This technology improves surgical precision and patient outcomes, especially in cancer cases,” as quoted in a press release.

The director, who recently completed specialised training in Belgium to prepare for the introduction of robotic surgery at the institution, led a team that performed the intervention.

Radical prostatectomy involves the complete removal of the prostate gland that is affected by the tumour. During the procedure, the surgeon aims to preserve urinary continence (the ability to control urination) and, in selected cases, erectile function (the ability to have and maintain erections).

Robotic surgery is an evolution of conventional laparoscopy—a procedure using small incisions and a camera to view internal organs. In robotic surgery, the surgeon operates from a console that controls robotic instruments, allowing for minimally invasive procedures.

According to ULS Médio Tejo (Local Health Unit of Médio Tejo), this technology enables high-definition three-dimensional visualisation and greater precision in performing complex surgical movements, resulting in less blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and faster recovery.

The system now used at the Tomar Hospital is the HUGO RAS model, acquired through an investment of €2.4 million financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

Differentiating factor

For the administration of ULS Médio Tejo, quoted in the note, the introduction of robotic surgery represents a differentiating factor for hospital services.

“Robotic surgery is today a differentiating and attractive factor for our hospitals,” stated the chairman of the board of directors, Casimiro Ramos, adding that the investment “is already having an impact” on attracting professionals.

“We are receiving expressions of interest from surgeons who seek not only to integrate the response in hospital emergency services, but also to develop scheduled activity in highly specialised areas such as this one,” he said.

The director of the Urology service also stated that the training of more professionals is planned, emphasising the evolution towards interdisciplinary approaches.

“We are already preparing the training of four more professionals, and we believe that the future will involve an increasingly interdisciplinary approach,” said João Carlos Dias.

The ULS Médio Tejo also admits the expansion of robotic surgery to other specialities throughout 2026.

“We are now entering a phase of greater stability, close to cruising speed, with expansion to other specialities foreseeable throughout 2026,” stated Casimiro Ramos.