In the grip of the COVID 19 pandemic, peaking in 2020, the healthcare landscape was defined by an immense ICU overload and strains upon hospital capacities, causing a vast array of procedures to be delayed or cancelled. Medical and surgical procedures have experienced varying recovery rates.

Differences in procedure complexity, hospital capacity, and adoption of minimally invasive and robotic techniques have created clear growth hotspots for 2026.

Drawing on insights from IQVIA’s MedTech Market Monitor (MMM), this blog highlights the top global surgical volume growth trends and outlines what medical device companies need to know to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

The strongest growth: minimally invasive procedures

Procedures that can be performed with minimal incisions and allow for same-day discharge have seen a quicker recovery in surgical volumes. These include:

• Total joint replacements: Advancements in surgical techniques have enabled some patients to undergo joint replacements and return home on the same day, reducing hospital stays and facilitating faster recovery.
• Spine surgeries: Minimally invasive spine surgeries, such as lumbar discectomies, have also seen a resurgence due to shorter recovery times and reduced hospital stays.
• Prostate cancer surgeries: Robotic-assisted prostatectomies have become more prevalent, offering precision and quicker recovery.
• Hernia repairs: Laparoscopic hernia repairs are increasingly common, contributing to faster recovery and reduced hospital admissions.

Joint procedures in 45 national healthcare markets

Data source: IQVIA Medtech Market Monitor

The figures capture the total volumes of the 45 countries covered by MMM, including the procedures (as defined by ICD9): Operations on facial bones and joints - Other operations on facial bones and joints: Bone graft to facial bone

Operations on joint structures (Repair and Plastic) - Joint replacement of lower extremity: Partial hip replacement, Replacement of joint of foot and toe, Total ankle replacement, Total hip replacement

Spine surgeries in 45 national healthcare markets

Data source: IQVIA Medtech Market Monitor

The figures capture the total volumes of the 45 countries covered by MMM, including the procedures (as defined by ICD9): Refusion of spine: Refusion of lumbar and lumbosacral spine, anterior column, posterior technique; Refusion of other cervical spine, anterior column, anterior technique; Refusion of spine, Other Procedures; Refusion of spine, not elsewhere classified.

Robotic-assisted surgery continues to accelerate

The integration of robotic technology into surgical procedures has led to enhanced precision, smaller incisions, and reduced recovery times.

For instance, the NHS in England plans to expand robotic-assisted surgeries, including joint replacements and cancer surgeries, aiming to perform 500,000 robotic surgeries annually by 2035. (The Guardian)

Procedures with slower recovery heading into 2026

Complex and high precision surgeries have experienced a slower recovery in volumes:

• Cardiac surgeries: While some heart procedures have been adapted for outpatient settings, major cardiac surgeries often require longer recovery times and have seen slower volume recovery.
• Cancer surgeries: Complex cancer surgeries, especially those requiring extensive recovery periods, have faced challenges in volume recovery due to prolonged hospital stays and intensive care needs.
• Orthopedic surgeries: Complex orthopedic procedures, such as total knee replacements, have longer recovery times, affecting their volume recovery rates.

Key drivers that will shape global surgical growth in 2026

Across health systems, several structural and operational factors are influencing procedural trends:

• Procedure complexity: Simpler, lower-risk procedures continue to rebound the fastest, while complex surgeries are constrained by ICU capacity and staffing.
• Surgical backlog management: Backlogs persist in most countries. Specialties that can complete high case volumes efficiently are clearing lists more rapidly, fueling growth.
• Technology adoption: Minimally invasive techniques, enhanced imaging, robotics, and improved care pathways are enabling faster turnover and expanding surgical capacity.
• Outpatient migration: A global shift toward outpatient surgery centers is accelerating growth in procedures that no longer require an overnight stay.
• Country-specific infrastructure and demographics: Aging populations, reimbursement structures, and workforce availability continue to influence national and regional trends. Our next blog will explore a country-level comparison to illustrate how these drivers vary across markets.

Key implications for MedTech manufacturers

Understanding surgical volume trends is essential for commercial planning and strategic investment. Key implications for MedTech manufacturers include:

1. Focus on high-growth minimally invasive segments: Product portfolios aligned with outpatient, minimally invasive, and fast-recovery procedures will see the strongest near-term demand.
2. Strengthen your robotic ecosystem strategy: As robotic adoption accelerates, companies offering instruments, accessories, imaging systems, and workflow technologies will benefit from sustained expansion.
3. Support hospitals in increasing throughput: Solutions that reduce operating time, shorten recovery pathways, or allow procedures to shift outpatient are particularly valuable in backlog-heavy systems.
4. Localize market approaches: Surgical recovery is uneven. Manufacturers should tailor go-to-market strategies based on country-level trends, infrastructure, and competitive dynamics.
5. Use real-time data for commercial planning: With procedural volumes still normalizing, real-time analytics—such as IQVIA’s MedTech Market Monitor data—are critical for identifying growth hotspots and adjusting sales strategies.

Conclusion

As we begin 2026, global surgical volumes are continuing to rebound, with minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures driving the fastest growth. While complex surgeries recover more gradually, they represent significant long-term opportunity as systems expand capacity.

For medical device companies, understanding these specialty-level trends is essential. By aligning portfolios with high-growth procedures, supporting outpatient migration, and leveraging data-driven insights, manufacturers can position themselves for strong commercial performance.

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