New meta-analysis shows statistically significant improvements in patient outcomes associated with da Vinci surgery versus laparoscopic and open surgery across 13 common benign conditions

A new 14‑year, 14‑million‑procedure meta-analysis links da Vinci robotic surgery to shorter stays and faster return to work in benign conditions.

Rhea-AI Summary

Intuitive (ISRG) reported publication of a large systematic review and meta-analysis in Annals of Surgery Open comparing da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery with laparoscopic and open surgery across 13 common benign conditions, using data from more than 14 million procedures over 14 years in 32 countries.

The authors found da Vinci surgery was associated with shorter hospital stays, faster return to work, lower odds of blood transfusion, and reduced pain medication use versus laparoscopic and open approaches, while showing no statistically significant differences in overall complications, infections, readmissions, or 30‑day mortality compared with laparoscopy. Average operative times were longer for da Vinci procedures. The analysis synthesized randomized trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and database studies across gynecology, general, bariatric, urologic, and hernia surgeries.

Market Context

Before publication, ISRG's prior close was $366.70, down 0.85%; that pre-headline baseline preceded ...

Analysis

Before publication, ISRG's prior close was $366.70, down 0.85%; that pre-headline baseline preceded the release of comparative evidence spanning 13 benign conditions, with no same-program historical reaction supplied.

Key Figures

Procedures analyzed: More than 14 million procedures Benign conditions: 13 common benign conditions Lower conversion odds: 54% lower odds +5 more

Procedures analyzed

More than 14 million procedures

Comparative meta-analysis across da Vinci, laparoscopic, and open surgery

Benign conditions

13 common benign conditions

Study scope

Lower conversion odds

54% lower odds

da Vinci versus laparoscopic surgery

Shorter hospital stay

Approximately 4 hours shorter

da Vinci versus laparoscopic surgery

Faster return to work

Approximately 2 days sooner

da Vinci versus laparoscopic surgery

Lower transfusion odds

69% lower odds

da Vinci versus open surgery

Lower complication odds

46% lower odds

30-day postoperative complications; da Vinci versus open surgery

Lower infection odds

60% lower odds

Surgical site infection; da Vinci versus open surgery

Key Terms

meta-analysis, perioperative outcomes, randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies

4 terms

meta-analysis technical

"Largest comparative meta-analysis of its kind"

A meta-analysis combines results from multiple independent studies on the same question to produce a single, more reliable estimate of an effect or outcome. Like averaging many temperature readings to get a truer picture of the weather, it reduces random noise and highlights consistent signals; investors use it to assess how strong and reliable the scientific or economic evidence is, which affects regulatory outlook, product prospects, and valuation risk.

perioperative outcomes medical

"statistically significant improvements in select perioperative outcomes"

Perioperative outcomes are the measurable results and events that happen before, during, and after a surgical procedure, such as complications, infection rates, recovery time, length of hospital stay, readmissions, and mortality. They matter to investors because these outcomes influence the cost, demand, regulatory approval, reimbursement, and reputation associated with surgical products and services—similar to how a product’s quality and failure rate affect sales, warranty costs, and customer trust.

randomized controlled trials medical

"13 randomized controlled trials"

Randomized controlled trials are studies where participants are randomly assigned to receive either a new treatment or a comparison (such as a standard treatment or placebo), so outcomes can be fairly compared like flipping a coin to decide teams. For investors, they matter because they provide the most reliable evidence about whether a drug, device or intervention actually works and is safe, which influences regulatory approval, market demand and the financial outlook of companies developing them.

prospective cohort studies medical

"21 prospective cohort studies"

A prospective cohort study is a type of medical or epidemiological research where a group of people who share a characteristic (the cohort) are followed forward in time to see how different exposures or behaviors relate to later outcomes, such as disease, recovery, or side effects. Think of it like tracking a group of travelers from a common starting point to observe which route leads to which destinations. For investors, these studies provide forward-looking evidence about long-term safety, risk factors, and real-world outcomes that can affect a company's products, regulatory standing, or market prospects.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Largest comparative meta-analysis of its kind found da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery was associated with shorter hospital stays and a faster return to work compared with laparoscopic and open surgery

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG), a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, today announced the publication of a landmark systematic review and meta-analysis in the peer-reviewed Annals of Surgery Open.

The study analyzed data from more than 14 million da Vinci, laparoscopic and open procedures across 13 common benign (non-cancerous) conditions, making it the largest comparative meta-analysis of its kind. The authors found da Vinci surgery was associated with statistically significant improvements in select perioperative outcomes compared with laparoscopic and open surgery.

"Patients want confidence that their surgical approach will support a strong recovery and help them get back to work and to the people and moments that matter most to them. Surgeons and care teams need robust evidence to help guide those decisions," said Jaime Wong, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Intuitive. "Until now, evidence comparing surgical approaches for benign conditions has been spread across hundreds of studies. This analysis provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date, helping patients and clinicians make more informed decisions."

Key findings
da Vinci surgery vs. laparoscopic surgery:

• 54% lower odds of conversion to open surgery
• 13% lower odds of requiring a blood transfusion
• Hospital stays approximately 4 hours shorter
• Return to work approximately 2 days sooner
• Lower postoperative pain scores and less pain medication use
• No statistically significant differences in complications, infections, readmissions, or 30-day mortality
• Average operative time approximately 24 minutes longer
  
  

da Vinci surgery vs. open surgery:

• 69% lower odds of requiring a blood transfusion
• 46% lower odds of 30-day postoperative complications
• 60% lower odds of surgical site infection
• Hospital stays approximately 2 days shorter
• Return to work approximately 5 days sooner
• Lower odds of intraoperative complications, readmission, reoperation, and 30-day mortality.
• 37% lower odds of requiring pain medication within 30 days
• Average operative time approximately 46 minutes longer
  
  

The analysis synthesized 14 years of published evidence spanning 32 countries, drawing from 13 randomized controlled trials, 21 prospective cohort studies, 101 database studies, and 231 retrospective cohort studies.

Led by Thomas H. Shin, MD, PhD, bariatric surgeon at Mass General Brigham, and conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia, Mass General Brigham, and Intuitive, the analysis examined procedures performed for benign conditions across gynecology, general surgery, bariatric surgery, urology, and hernia repair — including hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, and colorectal surgery.

“By bringing together evidence from randomized trials, prospective studies, and large real-world datasets, this analysis provides a broad view of perioperative outcomes across multiple procedures and specialties,” said Dr. Shin. “The findings add to our understanding of how surgical approaches compare while recognizing that the most appropriate approach depends on the procedure, patient, surgeon, and clinical setting.”

This study complements the previously published meta-analysis of 30-day surgical outcomes across seven oncological surgical procedures, led by Rocco Ricciardi, MD, MPH, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Together, the studies expand the comparative evidence available to patients, surgeons, and health systems across a broad range of benign and oncological conditions.

More than 21 million patients worldwide have been operated on by surgeons using the da Vinci system, with more than 3.1 million da Vinci procedures performed in 2025 alone.

About Intuitive
Intuitive (NASDAQ: ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a global leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic surgery. Our technologies include the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. By uniting advanced systems, progressive learning, and value-enhancing services, we help physicians and their teams optimize care delivery to support the best outcomes possible. At Intuitive, we envision a future of care that is less invasive and profoundly better, where disease is identified early and treated quickly, so that patients can get back to what matters most.

This material has been developed with, reviewed and approved by an independent physician/surgeon who is not an Intuitive employee. The physicians did not receive compensation from Intuitive.

About da Vinci Surgical Systems
There are several models of the da Vinci surgical system. The da Vinci surgical systems are designed to help surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery and offer surgeons high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance. They use specialized instrumentation, including a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments (i.e., scissors, scalpels, and forceps) that are designed to help with precise dissection and reconstruction deep inside the body.

For more information, please visit the company's website at www.intuitive.com.

Important Safety Information
Patient outcomes may depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and/or physician/surgeon experience. The da Vinci system is a tool used for minimally invasive surgery.

Patients should consult with their doctor to discuss both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, including the benefits and risks associated with each. They should also ask whether surgery using the da Vinci system is appropriate for their specific situation. As with any surgical procedure, serious complications can occur, including, in rare cases, death. Potential risks include injury to tissues and organs, as well as the possibility of switching to alternative surgical techniques during the operation, which may result in longer operative times and increased risk of complications.

For a summary of the risks associated with surgery, refer to www.intuitive.com/safety.

For risks, contraindications, cautions, and warnings and full prescribing information, refer to the associated da Vinci surgical system user manual(s), or visit https://manuals.intuitivesurgical.com/market.

@2026 Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. All rights reserved. Product and brand names/logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical or their respective owner.

Contact Information:
Media.inquiries@intusurg.com

FAQ

What specific outcome differences were reported for da Vinci versus laparoscopic surgery?

For da Vinci versus laparoscopic surgery, the analysis reported 54% lower odds of conversion to open surgery, 13% lower odds of requiring a blood transfusion, hospital stays approximately 4 hours shorter, and return to work approximately 2 days sooner. It also found lower postoperative pain scores and less pain medication use, with no statistically significant differences in complications, infections, readmissions, or 30‑day mortality. Average operative time was approximately 24 minutes longer for da Vinci procedures.

How did da Vinci surgery compare with open surgery in the meta-analysis?

Compared with open surgery, da Vinci procedures were associated with 69% lower odds of requiring a blood transfusion, 46% lower odds of 30‑day postoperative complications, and 60% lower odds of surgical site infection. Hospital stays were approximately 2 days shorter and return to work approximately 5 days sooner. The analysis also found lower odds of intraoperative complications, readmission, reoperation, and 30‑day mortality, and 37% lower odds of requiring pain medication within 30 days, with average operative time approximately 46 minutes longer.

What types of studies and surgical specialties were included in this meta-analysis?

The meta-analysis drew on 14 years of evidence from 13 randomized controlled trials, 21 prospective cohort studies, 101 database studies, and 231 retrospective cohort studies. It examined benign procedures across gynecology, general surgery, bariatric surgery, urology, and hernia repair, including operations such as hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, and colorectal surgery.

How does this benign-condition study relate to prior oncologic evidence for da Vinci surgery?

This benign-condition meta-analysis complements a previously published meta-analysis of 30‑day surgical outcomes across seven oncological procedures led by Rocco Ricciardi, MD, MPH. Together, these analyses expand comparative evidence for da Vinci surgery versus other approaches across a broad range of benign and oncological conditions, providing additional information for patients, surgeons, and health systems.

How widely has the da Vinci system been used to date?

More than 21 million patients worldwide have undergone procedures performed by surgeons using the da Vinci system. The company reports that more than 3.1 million da Vinci procedures were performed in 2025 alone.