East Kent’s healthcare just jumped light years forward! Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) has just undertaken its first successful robotic surgeries. The complex procedures, performed by surgeon Sudhaker Mangam, took advantage of new robotic technology to maximize surgical precision and minimize impact on patients.
The robotic system consists of four arms which the surgeon controls from a remote console. It further allows the surgeon to see a 3D view from inside the patient’s body during the procedure. This unique model was pioneered by the National Health Service (NHS) in London earlier this year. Mandy Lee, pictured here with the hospital’s team, was the first patient to have this robotic procedure at QEQM. After discovering she had bowel cancer, she underwent surgery to remove part of her bowel.
Her surgery took place on a Thursday. By Sunday, though, she was discharged, and by then, she felt relieved and happy with the outcome. She did admit that the prospect of robotic surgery was intimidating at first. Her all-consuming drive to eradicate cancer compelled her to face those phobias head-on.
“It was a bit of a scary thought, I hadn’t even considered the possibility of robotic surgery, but I just wanted the cancer gone and I wasn’t put off.” – Mandy Lee
Lee’s operation was a success! After this historic procedure, Stanley Russell, a 68-year-old Herne Bay resident, was the second patient to have a robotic procedure at QEQM. After settling in, the medical team provided Russell with a clear description of the procedure. They focused heavily on the fact that robotic surgery is minimally invasive, so there’s usually less pain compared to more invasive procedures.
“The team explained everything really well and said it would be less painful than going through more invasive surgery, so that made sense to me.” – Stanley Russell
For local patients in particular, Sudhaker Mangam promoted this development as an important step forward. He pointed out that the use of such robotic technology is a sign of a new era of surgical excellence in the region.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
Both patients are recovering and doing well. While it’s still early, indicators suggest this collaborative new model is improving patient experience and outcomes across different surgical specialties. The success of these initial operations at QEQM may pave the way for broader implementation of robotic surgeries in other hospitals throughout the region.