Mallorca 3D cancer surgery: 92% of ops aim to cure

At Son Espases University Hospital in Palma, Mallorca, the share of operations aimed at curing locally advanced rectal cancer reaches 92% after the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) surgical planning, up from 48%. Surgeon Álvaro García Granero presented the results at the hospital, which reported them on 26 October. Since 2022, Son Espases has operated on 61 patients using the technology.

Fewer recurrences after surgery

For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, recurrence in the same area fell from 21% to 0%. The share living without a recurrence three years later rose from 79% to 100%.

The hospital also reported gains for patients with locally advanced colon cancer. Recurrence anywhere fell from 34% to 8%, while three-year overall survival rose from 76% to 88%.

What the 3D plan shows surgeons

The system turns medical scans into a 3D model of a patient’s anatomy. Before surgery, doctors can see how a tumour lies against nearby organs. That matters when an advanced tumour has grown into surrounding structures. Son Espases also uses mathematical methods and artificial intelligence to help identify that spread more precisely.

A national study found that 38% of surgeons changed their planned technique after viewing a 3D model. The hospital also uses the images to explain planned operations to patients.

Son Espases estimates that the 61 operations carried out with the system since 2022 saved 141,000 euros compared with conventional surgery, based on Balearic Health Service data. It is working with Adema on a touch-based 3D simulator and on projects to bring 3D images and augmented reality into robotic surgery.

Topics: Health

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com