The growth rate of surgical procedures using the da Vinci robotic surgical system in the U.S. market slowed to 10% during the third quarter, the lowest growth rate the company has reached since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to statements by analysts and company leadership during the quarterly earnings call.
Regarding third-quarter financial results, Intuitive achieved total revenue of $3.05 billion, a 27% year-over-year increase, while net income reached $523 million compared to $704 million in the third quarter of 2025. Shipments of da Vinci systems also rose to 546 units compared to 427 units in the same period last year, including 315 units of the new generation da Vinci 5.
Opportunities for Expansion in Benign General Surgery
Responding to analysts' questions about whether this slowdown represents a temporary lull, CEO David Rosa indicated that future opportunities are focused on expansion within benign general surgery. He explained that physicians and hospitals rely on clinical and economic comparisons between robots and other techniques such as traditional laparoscopic or open surgeries, noting that robotic systems are proving their superiority, which establishes a foundation for sustainable growth.
Pricing Adjustments to Expand Adoption Base
To address the cost barrier in high-volume procedures, the company intends to adjust the pricing structure for da Vinci instruments and accessories to decrease by 3% to 5% per procedure once the changes are fully implemented. CFO Jamie Samath explained that this decision is deliberate to foster widespread adoption in high-volume benign procedures, particularly outside the United States and in ambulatory surgery centers.
What is Changing Practically?
The company has adjusted its short-term outlook for the total da Vinci procedure growth rate for 2026 to settle in a range between 14% and 15%, compared to previous expectations that ranged between 13.5% and 15.5%. This move reflects a strategic shift toward sacrificing a portion of short-term revenue per procedure to achieve longer-term value through increased global adoption of the technology.