What impact could robotic surgery have on the future of healthcare?

Surgical robots have been around since the 1980s, with the Puma 560 used in 1985 by Kwoh et al to perform neurosurgical biopsies and non-laparoscopic surgery with greater precision.¹

As technology and surgical developments have rapidly advanced over the years, so too has the general perception of robots – moving from science fiction to cutting-edge technology that could ultimately revolutionise healthcare.

More than 30 years later, the influence of surgical robots in operating rooms is growing at pace. Only 4% of surgery globally is done with robots² , with most of these procedures performed in the US. While this figure may currently sound small, we believe this highlights the huge growth potential for geographic expansion in the coming years.

The benefits of robotic surgery include:

• Enhanced dexterity: Surgeons are able to operate in very tight spaces in a body that would otherwise only be accessible through open surgery;
• Greater precision and control: Surgical robots help surgeons with the positioning and manipulation of surgical instruments;
• Shorter hospital stays: The smaller incisions will likely mean faster recovery times for patients and, generally, lower readmission rates.

Examples of procedures fueling innovation in robotic surgery

Over time, the application of surgical robots has significantly widened - from general laparoscopic procedures such as hernia and colorectal surgery to delicate operations on the heart and spine, knee replacements and removing brain tumours. Below are some examples of companies leading innovation in robotic surgery:

General surgery

At the forefront of the developments in these types of procedures is Intuitive Surgical*, which manufactures robotic-assisted medical equipment to support doctors and hospitals in minimally invasive surgery. It pioneered the groundbreaking da Vinci system, with almost 6,000 in existence around the world and a surgeon starting a da Vinci procedure every 25.4 seconds. In 2020, da Vinci Surgical Systems were used to perform 1.2mn procedures, a marginal increase from 2019 – and a significant figure, given that some surgeries had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched in 1998, Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system was one of the first robotic-assisted systems approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general laparoscopic surgery. Intuitive’s status as a key player is backed up by a comprehensive training programme for academics and future doctors, and reinvestments in research and development – its annual spend on the latter has almost tripled from $197mn in 2015 to over $500mn in 2019 and 2020.

Spine surgery

Globus Medical* is a leading medical device manufacturer, focusing on musculoskeletal implants that provide spine care solutions for patients. One of its solutions is the ExcelsiusGPS, a robotic arm with complete navigation capabilities in one adaptable platform for accurate alignment in spine surgery. It means surgeons can visualise, plan and navigate patient anatomy – as well as receive navigation feedback throughout the procedure - in real-time. The company has also developed orthopaedic trauma solutions in recent years to diversify beyond the spine market.

Knee replacements

The global share of older people (60+) is expected to increase by 42% from 2018 to 2030 – five times faster than the under 60 population.³ As you age, knee joints run the risk of becoming worn or damaged over time, with knee replacement surgery generally carried out on the 60-80 age bracket.⁴ Many people also live more active lifestyles into older age, compared to previous generations. This means more people may find they need knee surgery in their later years.

Zimmer Biomet* is a US healthcare company that specialises in knee surgery. Its ROSA Knee robotic technology is designed to help a specially trained surgeon tailor the placement of knee implants. Zimmer has also developed its mymobility app, in collaboration with Apple, to inform care decisions and further enhance the communication between patients and their surgeons.

Huge growth potential around the world

The global market for robotic surgery equipment is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 30% until 2023.⁵ The COVID-19 pandemic meant that hospitals around the world were forced to delay many non-urgent surgeries in which robots could have supported. However, going forward, the containment of the disease through the rollout of vaccines will likely normalise hospitals’ operational capacity, leading to a surge in postponed robotic surgeries being performed.

Another reason for optimism is likely to come in the form of new market entrants, with the low market penetration allowing different companies to develop solutions that address a range of issues. For example, Johnson & Johnson* has a growing market presence, particularly with its acquisition of Auris Health – a robotic technology platform focused on lung diagnostics and procedures. Elsewhere, Medtronic*, a global medical device manufacturer, is in the process of developing a surgical robot.

With new entrants comes the potential for more innovation, thanks to disruptive technology like image-guided robotic interventions and enhanced motion control for greater precision. Coupled with 5G and AI⁶ , developments in these areas will likely increase the types of robotic-assisted surgical procedures performed in the future – for example, the removal of tumours from parts of the body that would otherwise be difficult to reach. As a result, we expect this will create compelling investment opportunities within robotic surgery over the coming years.

* All stocks mentioned are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation for an investment strategy. All company information can be found on their websites and is accurate as at 28 February 2021.