World class surgical robot arrives at UHNM
The University Hospital of North Midlands has just taken delivery of the latest and most advanced generation of surgical Robot to provide patients across Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and beyond with access to the very latest in surgical care.
The 'Da Vinci Xi' is the second surgical robot to be used at Royal Stoke University Hospital , the first arriving in 2014, making UHNM the only NHS Trust in the West Midlands to have two robots and the latest robotic technology. Together they will radically improve the treatment of urology, general surgery and gynaecology patients. The robot is the most advanced in its range and the surgical system provides a surgeon with a cutting-edge set of instruments to use in performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.
First patient to be operated on with the new robot, 63 year-old Mr Andrew Diddams from Madeley said: "The surgeon really explained in depth how the robot works and that this was the latest one that had only been delivered a few days prior to my surgery. The surgery went really well and I am already being discharged, less than 24 hours following my operation."
Lyndon Gommersall, Consultant Urologist, said: "Robotic keyhole surgery has many advantages over open surgery as patients can expect a shorter stay in hospital, quicker recovery and less blood loss. It also has an advantage over traditional laparoscopic or keyhole surgery because it is more accurate, reducing any surgical side effects for example infections."
The surgical system consists of a four-arm robot connected to a remote console which the surgeon operates while seated. Foot pedals are used for control, and 3-D displays provide a unique depiction of the surgical field.
Mr Anurag Golash, Consultant Urologist said: "It also allows precise partial removal of the kidney in suitable kidney cancer patients, leaving the rest of the healthy kidney inside the patient, preserving precious renal function. Now that UHNM has two of these robotic surgical systems we can offer these services in high volume, further improving our outcomes"
Chris Luscombe, Consultant Urologist and Cancer lead for the Trust added: "The second surgical robot not only gives us more capacity to treat more patients, but the upgraded system also gives surgeons in different specialities the ability to perform new complex keyhole surgical procedures. Having two robotic systems and a variety of different surgeons using them means that UHNM is recognised as one of the largest robotic centres in the region."
Tracy Bullock, Chief Executive, said: "This is an astounding investment for UHNM and one which patients will see real benefits from. The Trust now has two state-of-the-art surgical robots and because of these we can continue to provide the very best services for our patients around Staffordshire. This is something that will attract the best surgeons to work at UHNM and I'm very grateful to our clinicians for their hard work in bringing this technology to our patients."