“Sutter Health is advancing breast cancer care with the performance of a single-port robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy (SP rNSM) in a community-based medical center — among the first known procedures of its kind in the United States outside of a clinical trial. The milestone reflects a broader shift as leading-edge surgical innovations move beyond research settings into real-world patient care, expanding access to advanced cancer care closer to home.

The procedure was performed March 9 at the Oakland, Calif. campus of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center by Rita Kwan-Feinberg, M.D., MPH, FACS, a Sutter East Bay Medical Group breast cancer and robotic surgeon with specialized training. Using a SP robotic surgical system, the approach enables surgery through a single, small incision, enhancing precision, minimizing visible scarring and supporting a more patient-centered recovery experience. The robotic platform has received FDA clearance for use in nipple‑sparing mastectomy, representing an emerging approach still being evaluated for long-term outcomes.”

From Sutter Health.