Aortic robotic surgery in Ireland: infrastructure without implementation – Is now the time to act?
摘要
Robotic-assisted surgery is established in several specialties, but its vascular surgery application remains limited. We assessed Irish infrastructural readiness and governance to inform a national feasibility programme.
MethodsA structured environmental scan of Irish tertiary centres was performed. Public sources (hospital/health-service websites, reports, press releases, procurement notices, training pages, professional societies, and newspaper articles) were reviewed to October 2025. We recorded robotic platform availability, co-location with vascular services, robotics governance structures, and vascular representation.
ResultsNine HSE Model-4 hospitals were identified, and their corresponding robotic programmes were assessed. All hospitals report access to surgical robotic platforms and institutional supports. All are co-located with vascular surgery units. No vascular robotic programmes exists in Ireland and vascular representation in national governance is simultaneously absent.
ConclusionsIreland appears ready for a centralised, mentored pilot with prospective clinical and economic evaluation. International evidence suggests feasibility with possible perioperative advantages and requires further investigation.
Clinical trial registrationNot applicable.