Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is now home to a state-of-the-art surgical robot which will provide safer and more efficient prostate and bowel operations.
The robot, a dual console Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, assists surgeon to perform complex but minimally invasive surgical procedures with less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster initial recovery compared with traditional surgical methods.
A surgeon operates the robot using a console which controls the robot’s arms to hold objects and act as scalpels, scissors and other surgical devices. Another arm controls high-definition 3D cameras which provide a magnified view of the surgical site.
With swifter procedures, robotic-assisted surgery will help the Stockport NHS surgical team provide more operations and reduce waiting times for patients. Faster recovery times and fewer complications will also help free up beds throughout the hospital.
Increasing the number of robotic-assisted procedures is a key part of the National Cancer Plan for England.
One of the main procedures the new Da Vinci robot will be used for is surgery to remove prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with roughly 1 in 8 men diagnosed in their lifetime. Around 55,000 to 63,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.
With the new robot, prostate cancer operations are expected to increase from around 450-500 a year, to around 1,000 a year.
Patients with bowel cancer will also benefit from robotic-assisted surgery. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with 46,000 to 49,000 new cases diagnosed every year. This affects approximately 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women during their lifetime.
“This technology is a huge step forward for our patients,” said Nigel Roberts, Associate Divisional Director for Theatres, Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Pain. “The robot gives us incredible precision and control, which means safer operations, fewer complications and much faster recovery times. We’re proud to be bringing this level of innovation to Stockport.”
General and Upper GI Surgeon and Associate Medical Director Natasha Henley said; “Robotic surgery allows us to operate with a much higher level of precision. For patients, that means smaller incisions and a much quicker return to normal life. Being able to offer this technology here in Stockport is a huge step forward for cancer care, and we’re excited about the difference it will make for the thousands of people we treat every year.”
