The First Robotic Surgical Exoscope is now in Veraguas Panama

Nearly one million people in the provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Coclé, Los Santos and Chiriquí will be able to access high-precision surgeries thanks to the incorporation of a modern robot-assisted digital surgical exoscope, representing a significant advance for the health system.  The technology team was received by the Minister of Health, Fernando Boyd Galindo, during a tour of Veraguas.  This modern equipment, installed at the Luis “Chicho” Fábrega Hospital of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), will improve the precision of surgical procedures, optimize diagnostic and treatment processes, and provide more timely, efficient, and quality care to the population. 

Minister Boyd Galindo highlighted that the incorporation of this surgical equipment is part of the actions aimed at strengthening the national hospital network, through the provision of state-of-the-art technology that responds to the needs of patients.  Also present at the handover ceremony were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Julio Arosemena; the Regional Director of Health, Xavier Torres; the Director of the hospital, Sirly Reyes; and health and administrative staff.

An exoscope is a high-definition, 3D digital camera system used in microsurgery that acts as a flexible, external, and robotic alternative to traditional operating microscopes. It provides high-magnification, high-resolution images of the surgical field, which are displayed on a screen for the surgeon to watch, improving ergonomics and enabling team collaboration.

Key Aspects of the Exoscope:

• Heads-Up Surgery: Surgeons look at a monitor rather than into eyepieces, reducing physical strain and improving posture.
• Enhanced Visualization: Offers high-definition, 3D, and magnified images, with excellent light and deep focus.
• Improved Maneuverability: The camera is often mounted on a robotic arm, allowing for easier positioning and, in some cases, better viewing angles for deep cavity surgeries.
• Collaborative Learning: Because the 3D images are projected onto a screen, the entire surgical team can see the operation in real-time, aiding training.
• Applications: Mainly used in neurosurgery (brain tumors), spine surgery, and ear surgery (otologyExoscope vs. Traditional Microscope:
• Comfort: The exoscope eliminates the strict ergonomic limitations of fixed eyepieces.
• Space: The device itself is often more compact and mobile than traditional, bulky microscopes.
• Visual Access: Provides superior, flexible viewing angles compared to a traditional, straight-on microscope view.  Exoscopes are becoming a popular, effective tool in complex, minimally invasive procedures, offering a “heads-up” approach for better efficiency and comfort in the operating room.

The exoscope at the Luis “Chicho” Fábrega Hospital in Veraguas will optimize diagnostic and treatment processes, the Ministry of Health highlighted.