The First Fully Robotic “Beyond-TME” (bTME) Surgery in Greece
26 March 2026
HYGEIA Hospital announces the successful completion of Greece’s first fully robotic Beyond-Total Mesorectal Excision (bTME), an extremely demanding and highly specialized oncological procedure for locally advanced pelvic cancer.
The Beyond-TME (bTME) technique extends beyond the limits of traditional total mesorectal excision. It is applied in cases where tumors invade adjacent pelvic structures, often requiring multivisceral organ resection to achieve complete tumor removal and optimize patient prognosis. Performed entirely with robotic assistance through small abdominal incisions, this approach provides maximum oncological radicality while minimizing surgical trauma.
This achievement resulted from the close collaboration of a large, well-coordinated interdisciplinary team. The surgery was performed under the guidance of Christos Kontovounissios, Director of the 2nd Surgical Clinic of HYGEIA, with significant contributions from the anesthesiology, cardiology, pathology and infectious diseases teams, as well as the plastic surgery team. Furthermore, the support of the Intensive Care Unit was crucial for the patient’s safe postoperative recovery, highlighting the power of collective effort and high-level cooperation across the hospital’s departments.
In a statement, Mr. Christos Kontovounissios, Director of the 2nd Surgical Clinic of HYGEIA, remarked: “The fully robotic application of the Beyond-TME technique represents a significant advancement in surgical oncology in Greece. This approach enables radical resections even in particularly challenging cases of locally advanced pelvic cancer, ensuring maximum precision while preserving healthy tissues. For patients, this translates to reduced surgical trauma, faster recovery, and improved quality of life, all without compromising oncological effectiveness.”
The successful outcome of this operation confirms HYGEIA’s leading role in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, as well as its ongoing commitment to adopting and implementing the most advanced international standards in oncological care, with a commitment to life.
