AdventHealth Tampa first in region to perform colorectal surgery using da Vinci SP robot

TAMPA, Fla., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AdventHealth Tampa is now the first hospital in the Tampa Bay region to successfully perform a transabdominal colorectal surgery using the da Vinci SP (single port) robot, taking the next step forward in providing minimally invasive colorectal procedures. The FDA recently approved this technology for colorectal surgeries, expanding the robot's use beyond its previously approved specialties of urology and head and neck procedures.

Dr. Ahmed Allawi, colorectal surgeon at AdventHealth Tampa, performed a partial colectomy (bowel resection) using the SP robot. Before now, surgeons have only performed this procedure in Florida at a limited number of hospitals in Orlando and Miami.

"Single port robotic surgery advances the benefits of conventional robotic surgery by allowing surgeons to operate through a single, small incision," Dr. Allawi said. "This not only minimizes scarring and post-operative pain but also reduces the risk of complications and speeds up recovery time. This offers patients a more efficient and cosmetically appealing surgical experience without compromising precision or control." 

The da Vinci SP robot enables surgeons to perform complex procedures through a single incision using a single-arm design that allows 360° access, along with better visibility, dexterity and accuracy, particularly in tight spaces such as the pelvis, where the colon is located. 

The use of the SP robot for colorectal procedures opens the door for further innovation in robotic-assisted gastrointestinal surgeries and showcases AdventHealth Tampa's ongoing commitment to adopting the latest advancements in surgical technology. 

For more information, visit www.AdventHealthTampa.com or The Digestive Health Institute page. 

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SOURCE AdventHealth West Florida Division