With the first procedures in a range of surgical specialties (General Surgery, Urological Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Gynecologic Surgery, etc.) using the Da Vinci 5—the most modern and advanced robotic system in the world—the Henry Dunant Hospital and the IMITHEA Group have opened a new chapter in robotic surgery in Greece. Henrik Dunant Hospital is the first and only hospital in Greece to have installed and operate the Da Vinci 5 system; it is only the second in Europe and ranks among the top ten worldwide.
This development not only places Henry Dunant Hospital at the forefront of technology but also marks a new era for the Greek surgical community and, above all, for patients. After ten years of research and investment, the Da Vinci 5 is not merely an upgrade, but a new paradigm in surgery, with the full integration of Artificial Intelligence—a technology that is shaping the future of healthcare systems as a whole.
“In an era of rapid technological advancements, there is no room for delays or waiting. Errikos Dynan and the IMITHEA Group are playing a leading role in this new era, and the operation of this pioneering robotic system reinforces our position as a center of excellence with international reach. It marks a significant milestone in the five-year development plan we are implementing, which includes ongoing and substantial investments in technological equipment, so that we can remain at the cutting edge of technology and continue to offer our patients high-quality services at a lower cost, with an eye toward international competition,” emphasized IMITHEA Group Executive Chairman Themos Charamis, as he inaugurated the new robotic system.
The Da Vinci 5, the newest and most advanced multi-arm robotic surgical system, marks a complete reboot in the field of robotic systems, as it is equipped with more than 150 innovations, computing power 10,000 times greater than its predecessor, and the first robotic platform to provide the surgeon with a sense of tactile feedback from the tissues. Among other things, it introduces three major changes:
1. The surgeon “feels” the tissues (Force Feedback)
For the first time in the history of robotic surgery, the system transmits the pressure and resistance exerted on the tissue to the surgeon’s hands. This “Force Feedback” allows for more precise manipulation, reduces the risk of unintended injuries by 43%, and elevates the quality of every procedure to a new level.
2. Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Analytics
The Da Vinci 5 is the first surgical system with built-in Artificial Intelligence. Through the My Intuitive+ platform, every procedure is automatically recorded and analyzed, providing objective performance metrics, review videos, and mechanical motion analysis. This transforms the training of new surgeons and the evaluation of surgical quality. The Telepresence feature allows real-time connection with external experts anywhere in the world, while the built-in simulator (SimNow 2) enables practice and “warm-up” directly at the console before each procedure.
3. Operating Room Efficiency and New Ergonomics
The streamlined workflow, integrated console, and improved instrument-change process reduce the time between procedures. This translates to more procedures per day, lower costs per case, and greater access to robotic surgery for patients.
The new robotic system supports a wide range of surgical specialties, significantly expanding the possibilities of minimally invasive surgery (General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology, Thoracic Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, etc.). Above all, however, it represents an investment in patients’ health and quality of life, with both immediate and long-term benefits, as it ensures: Gentler surgery (less tissue trauma, smaller incisions), faster recovery and shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain and the need for analgesics, a lower risk of complications, better long-term functional outcomes, and the ability to perform robotic surgery on a wider range of procedures and patients.