Canary Islands University Hospital Upgrades Surgical Tech to Enhance Cancer Care

The University Hospital Complex of the Canary Islands (HUC) has upgraded its surgical equipment to improve the precision of cancer surgeries. The hospital recently invested 139,050 euros to provide its Nuclear Medicine department with three new gamma detection systems designed to enhance radioguided surgery.

This investment is a significant boost for the sentinel lymph node technique, a vital procedure used to determine the spread of diseases like breast cancer and melanoma. By accurately identifying the first lymph node affected, specialists can better tailor diagnoses and treatment plans. The new devices are also highly versatile, allowing surgeons to track tracers like Technetium-99m and locate lesions marked with iodine-125 seeds, providing precise, real-time guidance during operations.

A key technical improvement is the switch to wireless probes. By removing the cables used in older models, the new equipment offers surgeons greater freedom of movement and better ergonomics in the operating room. Furthermore, having three independent units allows the hospital to perform multiple surgeries simultaneously, making the scheduling process more efficient.

By updating this technology, the hospital—which operates under the Canary Islands Government’s Ministry of Health—is strengthening its cancer care infrastructure. This move prioritizes more efficient Nuclear Medicine protocols and ensures better use of resources for specialized patient care.