TAMPA, Fla. (February 26, 2025) — AdventHealth Tampa has begun a groundbreaking clinical trial using the Da Vinci SP robot to remove cancer, as well as non-cancerous masses, from the pancreas, stomach, gallbladder and more, an innovative effort to provide a better, more efficient method for surgeons.
This is the first surgeon-led IDE Pilot Study, overseen by Dr. Sharona Ross, a leading surgeon in the field of Hepato-pancreato-biliay (HPB) and Foregut surgery and backed by the AdventHealth Research Institute.
The Da Vinci SP robot represents a paradigm shift in surgical technology, offering the ability to conduct robotic-assisted surgery through a single port. The system’s single-arm design eliminates the risk of external collisions, providing surgeons with 360° anatomical access without the need for redocking.
With its ability to access anatomy in all four quadrants of the abdomen through a single port, the Da Vinci SP robot offers a transformative solution for addressing the intricacies of HPB and Foregut pathology.
Currently, the Da Vinci SP robot is only FDA-approved for urology and head and neck surgical procedures. However, this clinical trial, which began in Summer of 2024, seeks to pave the way for FDA approval of the robot’s use in HPB and Foregut operations.
The first of four phases in this trial have been successfully completed with over 10 Foregut and HPB-related operations, including gallbladder removals, hernia repairs, and gastrectomies at AdventHealth Tampa, by Dr. Ross and her surgical team. The next phase will involve more advanced procedures with the end goal of focusing on cancerous tumors with the Da Vinci SP robot. Dr. Ross says this marks a significant leap forward in surgical innovation, with the potential to save lives of those diagnosed with pancreatic, stomach, esophageal, duodenal, and liver cancers.
“By leveraging the capabilities of the Da Vinci SP robot through this clinical trial, our hope is that one day, surgeons will be able to tackle the most challenging HPB and Foregut procedures with more confidence and precision, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and recovery,” she said.
AdventHealth Tampa is a not-for-profit 536-bed tertiary hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, digestive health, neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s services, pediatrics, oncology, endocrinology, bariatrics, wound healing, sleep medicine and general surgery including minimally invasive and robotic- assisted procedures. Also located at AdventHealth Tampa is the renowned AdventHealth Pepin Heart Institute, a recognized leader in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and leading-edge research.
For more information, visit www.AdventHealthTampa.com or The Digestive Health Institute page.