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In 1985, a robot, originally designed for automated manufacturing, made medical history by performing the first robotic surgery, precisely placing a needle for a brain biopsy. Aided by specialized computer software and fueled by a doctor’s bold vision, the impossible became reality. Driven by the same innovative spirit, Children’s Colorado is becoming a leader in pediatric robotic-assisted surgery.

Children’s Colorado has become a leader in adolescent bariatric surgery, hosting one of the largest such programs in the country. Much of this surgery is done robotically using the da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

“In the Denver metro area, more than 80% of all adult sleeve gastrectomies are being done with the surgical robot,” said Jonathan Hills-Dunlap, MD, Director of the Robotic Surgery Program at Children’s Colorado. “This is absolutely the standard of care in the adult world. We’re not reinventing the wheel here; this is proven technology, and we’re just applying the newest technology to our adolescent patients.

“We’ve done more than a dozen adolescent bariatric surgeries using the surgical robot and have had zero major complications, no reoperations, very short hospital stays and no hospital readmissions, and we’re hoping it stays that way,” he continued.

At Children’s Colorado, the Mazor X robot, affectionately nicknamed “Mazie,” has revolutionized pediatric spine surgery. Led by Mark Erickson, MD, and a specialized surgical team, the hospital has completed more than 500 robot-assisted spinal surgeries. Mazie enhances precision by allowing preoperative planning and real-time guidance during procedures, especially in high-risk areas like the cervical spine.

The team uses Mazie in every spine surgery, not just complex ones, to ensure consistency and streamline the surgical process. This collaborative and protocol-driven approach has established Children’s Colorado as a national leader in pediatric robotic spine surgery. Our expertise is shaping research and best practices and advancing the broader adoption of robotic surgery in pediatric care nationwide.

Mazie’s advanced capabilities, paired with our team’s deep expertise and coordinated surgical approach, enable an exceptional level of precision. That precision is critical, Dr. Erickson notes, because the spine plays such a vital role in overall health and function. Looking ahead, he envisions expanding the use of Mazie for even more complex procedures, including tumor resections and spinal reconstructions.

The Colorado Fetal Care Center at Children’s Colorado recently achieved a major milestone by performing its first fetoscopic myelomeningocele (MMC) repair, a minimally invasive surgery conducted while the baby is still in the womb to close spinal defects caused by MMC, a severe form of spina bifida. This highly specialized procedure, performed at only a handful of centers nationwide, improves motor outcomes and reduces the need for brain shunts by up to 50%.

Unlike traditional MMC repair surgery, the fetoscopic approach offers benefits for both baby and mother, including the potential for vaginal delivery instead of a required C-section. Chris Derderian, MD, The Sandy Wolf Chair in Maternal Fetal Surgery, and a multidisciplinary team successfully performed the center’s first case in 2023. Children’s Colorado is now the only hospital in the region offering this treatment, reinforcing its commitment to innovative maternal-fetal care.

“We’re excited to offer the fetoscopic approach to give families a choice that benefits both baby and mom,” Dr. Derderian said. “One of the really important principles that we support at our fetal care center is that it’s a maternal and fetal care center — so not just focusing on the fetus, but the long-term repercussions for the mother as well.”