East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust has recently marked a major achievement. The team, under the leadership of consultant colorectal and general surgeon Sudhaker Mangam, operated successfully with the robot for the first time. The procedures are done using an advanced robotic system. This system features four arms that the surgeon operates from a console, allowing for improved precision and control during procedures. This cutting-edge surgical technique made its NHS debut in London earlier this year.
She was the first patient to undergo treatment with a breakthrough new therapy for bowel cancer. Her treatment included the surgical removal of a substantial section of her bowel. Lee detailed her initial fear of robotic surgery but noted her focus was first and foremost on getting rid of the cancer.
“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
The robotic system provides surgeons with a three-dimensional view inside the patient’s body, which enhances their ability to navigate complex anatomical structures. What brought Lee some consolation were the assurances that, all across Europe, such procedures had gone well. This guarantee was instrumental in her decision to proceed with the new technique.
Stanley Russell, a 68-year-old resident of Herne Bay, became the second patient to undergo a robotic procedure at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM). His operation took place on a Thursday and they were able to send him home just three days later, on Sunday. Russell said that each day after the surgery, he felt better and stronger.
The surgical team went out of their way to make sure that Russell was able to appreciate the procedure and its potential benefits. They made it clear that rehabilitation from a robotic surgery would be less painful than with traditional invasive techniques, and that sold him.
“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
Sudhaker Mangam about how important this next step in surgical technology will be for patients across east Kent.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
The introduction of robotic surgery at QEQM is a major leap forward in the quality of health care delivery in this region. Patients should be excited about these new treatment advances that offer faster recovery and less challenges after surgery. With additional cases on the docket, the hospital quickly began increasing its use of robotic-assisted surgeries. This progress is inspiring, and it holds tremendous promise to improve care for those who need it most.
