Weekly News Bulletin

Recent Advances in Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

March 2026 – Week Update

Market and Industry Updates

The global laparoscopic device market continues to expand steadily with increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgery worldwide. The market, including robotic-assisted systems, is projected to grow from approximately USD 21 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 37 billion by 2031. This growth is driven by improvements in visualization systems, access devices, energy platforms, and increased patient demand for minimally invasive procedures. Major industry leaders such as Medtronic continue to play a significant role in this expansion.
 

The disposable laparoscopic instruments market is also growing steadily. Valued at approximately USD 6.44 billion in 2026, it is expected to reach USD 10.39 billion by 2036, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The main factors contributing to this growth include increased focus on infection prevention, improved operating room efficiency, and rising surgical volumes globally.

In March 2026, Olympus America expanded the availability of its contained tissue extraction system incorporating an advanced power morcellator designed to improve safety in laparoscopic tissue extraction procedures.

Clinical Studies and Research Updates

A recent prospective single-center study published on March 23, 2026 evaluated different smoke management technologies during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The study compared continuous passive filtration, electrostatic precipitation, and continuous active filtration systems. The findings provide important insights into reducing surgical smoke exposure, improving operating room safety, and maintaining better visibility during laparoscopic procedures.

Another important update comes from the LASSO trial, where the 5-year follow-up results comparing laparoscopic versus open surgery for small bowel obstruction were reported around March 20, 2026. The study showed no significant long-term differences in recurrence rates, incisional hernias, or quality of life between laparoscopic and open adhesiolysis. However, laparoscopic surgery continued to demonstrate faster short-term recovery in selected patients. The overall conclusion suggests that long-term outcomes are comparable between the two approaches.

On March 17, 2026, Seger Surgical Solutions announced successful first-in-human trials of its SEGER IDEA laparoscopic bowel closure device in El Salvador. This device is designed to facilitate fully intracorporeal anastomosis, and further details are expected to be presented at the upcoming SAGES 2026 meeting.

Global Surgical Development and Training

There are ongoing discussions and initiatives focusing on advancing laparoscopic surgery in developing regions such as Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa, particularly addressing training programs, equipment availability, and infrastructure challenges. These initiatives highlight the global effort to expand minimally invasive surgery access worldwide.

In addition, multiple studies continue to demonstrate that robotic-assisted surgery is associated with lower conversion rates to open surgery, particularly in oncological procedures, further supporting the integration of robotics with laparoscopic techniques.

Robotic Surgery Systems: Recent Updates

The robotic surgery field continues to expand rapidly with new platforms and increasing competition.

Medtronic Hugo™ RAS System performed its first U.S. commercial robotic procedures in February 2026 at the Cleveland Clinic, including robotic-assisted prostatectomy with next-day discharge. Additional installations are ongoing in the United States, marking Medtronic’s expansion into soft-tissue robotics.

Intuitive Surgical reported that more than 20 million patients worldwide have now been treated using the da Vinci robotic platform. The company expects 13–15% global procedure growth in 2026, with new FDA clearances expanding robotic surgery into cardiac procedures such as mitral and tricuspid valve repair. The da Vinci 5 platform continues to drive adoption with improved computing power, workflow automation, and new instruments.

Johnson & Johnson submitted its Ottava robotic system to the FDA through the De Novo pathway in January 2026 for general surgery indications involving upper abdominal procedures. A second investigational trial has also been approved for inguinal hernia repair.

In orthopedic robotics, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare performed the world’s first knee replacement using a compact robotic system in March 2026. THINK Surgical also completed early clinical cases using its TMINI miniature robotic system combined with the Stryker Triathlon Knee System.

Clinical Outcome Trends in Robotic Surgery

A large multi-institutional study analyzing more than 2.2 million patients across 17 solid-organ cancers showed that robotic surgery has become the dominant minimally invasive approach in the United States. The study demonstrated lower conversion rates to open surgery and higher lymph node yields in several cancer procedures including lung, stomach, gallbladder, cervix, and bladder cancers.

Robotic surgery is increasingly being used in urology, gynecology, orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurosurgery, with improvements in surgical precision, ergonomics, and outcomes in complex procedures.

Market Trends in Robotic Surgery – 2026

The global surgical robotic systems market is expected to grow at approximately 13% compound annual growth rate, potentially reaching USD 30 billion by 2034.

Key trends observed in 2026 include:

• Increasing competition to Intuitive Surgical from Medtronic (Hugo), Johnson & Johnson (Ottava), and CMR Surgical (Versius)

• Expansion of robotic surgery into ambulatory surgery centers

• Integration of Artificial Intelligence in surgery, including AI-assisted surgical guidance and data analytics

• Increased focus on surgeon training, ergonomics, and fatigue reduction

• Development of modular and lower-cost robotic platforms

Upcoming Major Surgical Meeting

The SAGES 2026 Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 25–28, 2026 in Tampa, Florida, is expected to feature major discussions on:

• Procedural autonomy in surgery

• Soft-tissue robotic platforms

• Endoluminal robotics

• Artificial intelligence in the operating room

• Robotic training and simulation

• Surgical data analytics and black-box operating room systems

Comparative Overview: Hugo RAS vs da Vinci 5

Both robotic platforms continue to expand globally and show comparable clinical outcomes in urology, gynecology, and general surgery procedures.

Hugo RAS offers a modular system with independent robotic arms and an open surgeon console, providing flexibility in operating room setup and ergonomics. It is generally positioned as a lower-cost robotic system suitable for new robotic programs and cost-sensitive hospitals.

da Vinci 5, on the other hand, provides an integrated system with a closed immersive console, advanced computing power, force feedback technology, and a mature ecosystem for training and analytics. It currently has broader indications and a larger installed base worldwide.

Overall, clinical outcomes between the two systems remain comparable, with differences mainly in cost, ergonomics, docking time, and ecosystem maturity.

Conclusion

The current trend in minimally invasive surgery shows continued growth in both laparoscopic and robotic surgery, with strong market expansion, increasing clinical evidence, technological advancements, and integration of artificial intelligence into surgical practice. The year 2026 is shaping up to be a highly competitive and innovative period in robotic surgery, with multiple platforms entering the market and expanding surgical capabilities worldwide.

Minimally invasive surgery continues to focus on patient safety, faster recovery, surgical precision, and global accessibility, reinforcing its role as the future of surgical practice.