When patients learn they need surgery, their questions often extend beyond the procedure itself. Questions often center around pain, healing time and outcomes. Single-port robotic surgery was developed with many of those concerns in mind, offering a minimally invasive approach that may help some patients recover faster and return to the activities they enjoy.

CU Medicine urologist Marklyn Jones, MD, was the first surgeon in Colorado to offer single-port robotic surgery. At CU Medicine Urology – South Denver at Highlands Ranch Pavilion 1, Dr. Jones is helping patients access an advanced surgical option designed to minimize disruption and support recovery. Today, a growing number of CU Medicine providers are using the technology across multiple specialties. 

What is Single-Port Robotic Surgery?

Single-port robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach that allows surgeons to perform certain procedures through a single small incision instead of several.

Using a robotic system controlled entirely by the surgeon, a camera and surgical instruments are inserted through one entry point. This gives the surgeon a detailed view of the surgical area while operating with precision.

“As surgeons, we started with large incision open surgeries and then transitioned to traditional laparoscopic surgery. We then moved to minimally invasive robotic multiport surgeries and we now have single-port robotic surgeries,” said Dr. Jones.

How is Single-Port Surgery Different From Traditional Robotic Surgery?

Traditional robotic surgery typically uses several small incisions, while single-port surgery is performed through a single incision that is less than two inches across. For some procedures, this approach can improve access to certain areas of the body and reduce visible scarring.

“I’ve done close to 3,000 traditional multiport robotic surgeries,” said Dr. Jones. “With the introduction of single-port robotic surgery to my practice, patients tend to have less pain, a quicker recovery and outpatient status instead of staying in the hospital overnight.”

Potential benefits of single-port surgery may include:

What Procedures Can Be Performed Using Single-Port Robotic Surgery?

Dr. Jones uses single-port robotic surgery for a variety of urologic procedures, including prostate surgery, kidney surgery, urologic cancer treatment and select reconstructive procedures. The technology can be particularly beneficial for operations that require surgeons to work in tight spaces or access hard-to-reach areas of the body.

“There’s a growing number of procedures we can do in urology minimally invasively and with this single-port approach,” said Dr. Jones.

While Dr. Jones was the first surgeon in Colorado to offer single-port robotic surgery, other CU Medicine specialists are beginning to use the technology for select procedures in their own specialties, expanding access to advanced minimally invasive care for patients across the region.

“The unique thing about CU Medicine is that we have a multidisciplinary team that uses our single-port robot,” added Dr. Jones. “We are one of the first sites selected to have a general surgery program adopt this single-port technique. Procedures like gallbladder removal and hernia repair are now available using the technology.”