Press release

The H.U.B reaches a new milestone with the Da Vinci SP robot: a Belgian first in breast surgery

20 April 2026

Brussels, April 20, 2026 – The Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B) is proud to announce an unprecedented medical breakthrough in Belgium: the first bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy followed by immediate implant-based reconstruction performed using the Da Vinci Single Port robotic system. This procedure, carried out on Monday, April 13, 2026 by a multidisciplinary medical team, marks a turning point in the care of patients carrying a genetic mutation that predisposes them to a high risk of breast cancer (notably BRCA gene mutations).

A personalized, preventive, and less invasive approach

This cutting-edge technique is part of a comprehensive approach aimed at offering patients the least invasive surgical solutions possible. The Da Vinci Single Port system enables a mastectomy while preserving the entire skin envelope through a single small incision located outside the breast. The result: significantly reduced surgical trauma thanks to improved precision, a marked increase in the preservation of skin and nipple-areola complex sensitivity, faster healing, and superior aesthetic outcomes.

For women carrying BRCA gene mutations, who often live for years under the burden of a high risk of breast cancer, this innovation represents far more than a simple technical advancement. It is the promise of preventive surgery that is safer, more precise, and far more respectful of the body and self-image. A breakthrough that tangibly changes the lives of those who make the courageous choice to undergo risk-reducing surgery.

“The Single Port system, particularly innovative, allows mastectomies to be performed through a smaller incision positioned away from the breast, further reducing surgical trauma by increasing precision and consequently significantly improving sensory, aesthetic, and likely oncological outcomes,” explain Drs. Frédéric Urbain, Isabelle Veys, and Maxime Fastrez, respectively heads of plastic surgery, breast surgery, and gynecologic oncology at H.U.B. “We have identified these risk-reducing surgeries as a major area of development, offering patients less invasive options with improved aesthetic results. While this new technique is promising, it is nevertheless intended for patients who meet very specific criteria.”

First procedure performed on Belgian soil

This Belgian first, coordinated by Drs. Florin Pop, Kurt Crener, and Jenna Hannouille (from the departments of breast surgery, gynecologic oncology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery, respectively), is the result of long-term investment in robot-assisted surgery and in the training of medical teams. It reflects the commitment of the Brussels University Hospital to remain at the forefront of oncology and surgery by integrating the most advanced technologies for the direct benefit of its patients. It also illustrates the institution’s dedication to developing ambitious preventive medicine, capable of anticipating disease rather than simply treating it. The H.U.B thus reaffirms its role as a leading academic hospital center in Belgium, firmly placing surgical innovation at the service of what matters most: the health, well-being, and future of its patients.