Dr. Ricardo Estape and his surgical team at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital prepare for the first hysterectomy in Florida using the MIRATM Surgical System. This next-generation surgical technology holds the promise of offering women access to a minimally invasive option that helps them recover faster – with less pain, fewer scars and a quicker return to everyday life .
This milestone underscores the hospital’s commitment to advancing minimally invasive surgery through the adoption of cutting-edge technology
July 30, 2025 — HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in collaboration with HCA Healthcare Research Institute, has successfully completed the first hysterectomy in Florida using the MIRATM Surgical System. This milestone procedure positions the hospital as the first in the Southeastern United States to adopt this next-generation surgical technology, which holds the promise of offering women access to a minimally invasive option that helps them recover faster – with less pain, fewer scars and a quicker return to everyday life .
Performed through a single incision, the robotically assisted hysterectomy was completed at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical study under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). Data collected from this study will support Virtual Incision’s regulatory submission for MIRA’s use in treating benign gynecologic procedures, including fibroids, pelvic pain, endometriosis and uterine prolapse.
“We are proud to offer our patients access to the latest advancements in minimally invasive care,” said Dr. Ricardo Estape, the surgeon who performed the procedure. “This clinical milestone brings us one step closer to achieving FDA clearance for gynecologic use and highlights our shared mission of expanding access to high-quality innovative surgical care.”
“Innovations like this reflect our hospital’s dedication to advancing patient care through research and technology,” said Allyssa Tobitt, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. “We’re proud to be part of a clinical trial that will help expand safer, less invasive surgical options for women in our community.”
More than one million women in the U.S. alone undergo surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.1 A minimally invasive approach can shorten the hospital stay, reduce blood loss and decrease complication rates compared to open surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) devices, could elevate the surgeon’s vision, precision, and control when operating through a small incision, ultimately enabling the techniques to be performed on a broader range of patients.2 However, about 90 percent of U.S. operating rooms (ORs) are still lacking access to RAS, most often due to complex logistics such as dedicated space, specially trained staff, long turnover times and a substantial cost for the equipment.3
For more information about the HCA Healthcare Research Institute, visit HCA Healthcare Research Institute | HCA Healthcare
About HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a comprehensive medical facility serving the healthcare needs of South Florida for 75 years, is a part of HCA Florida Healthcare. The 488-bed, acute care hospital is an award-winning facility that specializes in emergency services that are kid and senior friendly, maternity with level III NICU, general and robotic surgery, hyperbaric and wound care center, cardiology, cancer care, orthopedic and spine, primary stroke center, weight loss programs and more. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is Miami-Dade’s only catholic hospital and provides patients with the best quality care in a compassionate and caring environment. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is located in the heart of Coconut Grove, FL with a bayfront property that makes it the only hospital in Miami to be accessible by land, air and sea.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About HCA Healthcare Research Institute
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is one of 48 HCA Healthcare sites, including nine in the HCA Florida Healthcare network, that participates in research supported by the HCA Healthcare Research Institute. The multispecialty clinical research organization brings together pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with community-based providers affiliated with HCA Healthcare to advance medicine. The institute is committed to advancing care for each patient through their affiliated network of providers and sites. As part of a learning health system, the HCA Healthcare Research Institute is unlocking insights into real-world data and clinical studies that lead to scientific breakthroughs and transform patient care.
References:
- Life Science Intelligence 2021 Report on Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Lenfant L, Canlorbe G, Belghiti J, Kreaden US, Hebert AE, Nikpayam M, Uzan C, Azaïs H. Robotic-assisted benign hysterectomy compared with laparoscopic, vaginal, and open surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Robot Surg. 2023 Dec;17(6):2647-2662. doi: 10.1007/s11701-023-01724-6. Epub 2023 Oct 19. PMID: 37856058; PMCID: PMC10678826.
- Hazan, A., Perse, J., Coover, P. June 2022. State of the Robotics Surgery Market. Goldman Sachs.
