Groundbreaking surgical achievement in Portugal: Robotic Liver Transplantation completed successfully
The São José University Hospital (ULS São José) in Portugal has made history by becoming the second institution in Europe to perform a fully robotic living donor liver transplant. On July 4, 2025, the Hepatobiliopancreatic and Transplantation Center of ULS São José successfully carried out this pioneering procedure using two surgical robots simultaneously.
The historic transplant involved a 38-year-old daughter donating a portion of her liver to her 65-year-old mother, who was the recipient. Both the donor and the recipient recovered without complications, underscoring the success of this innovative surgical approach.
This marks the first such fully robotic living donor liver transplant in Portugal. The first European case, performed in Modena, Italy, involved only one robot and the procedures were conducted sequentially, not simultaneously.
The use of two robots during the surgery offers significant advantages in organ donation. Hugo Pinto Marques, director of the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Transplant Center, emphasises that robotics offers safety and the possibility of faster recovery.
The São José University Hospital, under the leadership of Rosa Valente de Matos, president of the São José Health Unit, has been a pioneer in robotic transplantation. The institution argues that robotic surgery is a way to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the SNS.
The hospital acquired a second robotic surgery system, allowing it to establish a Robotic Surgery Center. This centre positions the hospital at the forefront of international healthcare.
The National Health Service in Portugal began robotic surgery at the Central Lisbon University Hospital Center in late 2019. The São José University Hospital, through its Robotic Surgery Center, continues to lead the way in this innovative field.
The first living donor liver transplant using robotic technology in Portugal was performed at the São José University Hospital in October 2024, but only for organ removal. In this recent groundbreaking surgery, another team used a second robot to extract the recipient's liver and place the donated partial organ, further highlighting the hospital's commitment to innovation and robotics.
This surgery is another example of the institution's dedication to advancing healthcare technology and providing the best possible care for its patients. Rosa Valente de Matos, president of the São José Health Unit, highlighted the surgery as a testament to the hospital's ongoing commitment to innovation and robotics.
The São José University Hospital, following the successful robotic liver transplant, is further exploring the potential of health-and-wellness technology. In the near future, Portugal might witness more medical-conditions being addressed through advanced technology, as the hospital continues to invest in science and robotics.
Rosa Valente de Matos, president of the São José Health Unit, expressed her aspirations for the Robotic Surgery Center to catalyze technology advancements in the medical-conditions field, potentially revolutionizing the field of health-and-wellness.
As the São José University Hospital continues pushing boundaries with robotic surgery, Portugal's stance as a European hub for technology-driven medical-conditions treatment could significantly improve, contributing to a brighter future for cancer patients and the overall wellness of the nation.
