Budapest, Hungary – 10 September 2026
A new step in the development of advanced breast cancer care has been reached in Hungary with the launch of the first da Vinci Single Port robotic-assisted breast surgery program in Central and Eastern Europe at St. Magdolna Private Hospital in Budapest.
The program expands the range of minimally invasive surgical options available within the Hungarian healthcare landscape and creates a new platform for developing specialized clinical expertise in breast cancer surgery.
Using the da Vinci SP system, nipple-sparing mastectomy can be performed through a single access point and an incision of approximately 3.5 cm. Through one robotic arm, the system delivers three multi-jointed instruments and a fully articulating 3DHD endoscope, supporting visualization, precision and access within the surgical field.
While Single Port robotic surgery is already used internationally in specialties including urology, general, gynecology, thoracic and TORS surgery, its application in breast surgery remains highly specialized. Its introduction in Hungary therefore represents an important step in broadening the country’s capabilities in advanced oncological surgery and supporting the continued modernization of patient care.
Hungary already has a growing da Vinci Robotic Surgery Ecosystem, with 13 da Vinci robotic surgery programs, more than 90 trained da Vinci surgeons and more than 11.600 patients treated to date. The introduction of Single Port robotic-assisted breast surgery builds on this existing clinical foundation and represents a further step in expanding the country’s capabilities in advanced minimally invasive and oncological care.
The program was developed through a structured pathway combining technology, clinical education, and international knowledge transfer. Hungarian specialists participated in case observation abroad, followed by supervised clinical implementation in Budapest with the support of international expertise.
The first procedures were performed by Dr. Péter Bertalan Kelemen, PhD, FEBOPRAS, FEBS, CEB, Consultant Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon and Dr. Mihály Újhelyi, Breast Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Head of Center with international proctoring from Dr. Marian Khatib, Director of the Breast Cancer Center and Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at American Hospital Dubai, UAE.
“Robotic-assisted surgery allows us to overcome some of the limitations of conventional approaches. It helps us better preserve blood supply and identify tissue planes with greater precision, which in reconstructive breast surgery can support preservation of the skin and nipple while reducing the risk of complications.”
Dr. Mihály Újhelyi, Breast Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Head of Center
SOFMEDICA and Intuitive supported the development of the program through access to technology, structured training, clinical education and international expertise.
“Our mission at SOFMEDICA is to make meaningful medical innovation accessible and sustainable within the healthcare systems we serve. The importance of this milestone goes beyond the introduction of a new technology. It contributes to building local clinical capabilities, connecting Hungarian healthcare professionals with international expertise and expanding the possibilities available to patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. This is how innovation becomes part of the long-term development of a healthcare system and translates into better care and quality of life for patients.” Domokos Entz, Commercial Manager, West Cluster, SOFMEDICA
The initiative also included a dedicated scientific event on Single Port breast surgery, bringing together physicians from across Hungary to exchange knowledge on clinical experience, implementation, the learning curve and practical considerations related to the technique.
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Europe, with more than 557,000 new cases estimated in 2022.¹ Against this background, strengthening clinical capabilities and expanding access to advanced surgical approaches remain important components of the continued evolution of cancer care.
The Budapest program is intended to serve as a foundation for the long-term development of robotic-assisted breast surgery in Hungary, supporting the accumulation of clinical experience, professional education and further knowledge sharing.
For patients, the significance of such programs lies not only in access to new technology, but in the development of healthcare environments capable of integrating innovation responsibly, supported by appropriately trained clinical teams and international expertise.
About SOFMEDICA
With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare innovation, SOFMEDICA is a provider of advanced medical technologies with a direct presence in nine countries — Romania, Greece, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Uzbekistan, and Egypt.
SOFMEDICA works alongside healthcare institutions and professionals to support the sustainable adoption of medical innovation through technology, education, clinical support and long-term partnerships, with the objective of advancing healthcare capabilities and improving patient care.