Patients at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in East Kent are experiencing a significant advancement in surgical procedures with the introduction of robotic surgery. Stanley Russell was the second person who had this cutting-edge surgery, which offers more precision and faster recovery.
On a Thursday in November 2017, Russell’s hemophilia was treated with infusions of clotting factor. This procedure turned out to be exactly what Mandy Lee had, having had a section of her bowel removed after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. The transformational surgery was performed under the direction of Sudhaker Mangam, consultant colorectal and general surgeon on Welby ward. Mangam used an advanced robotic system with four robotic arms to perform the surgery.
National Health Service (NHS) of Great Britain’s first introduced the robotic procedure in London earlier this year. Today, laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard. It has many benefits compared to open surgery. The robot’s four arms are controlled remotely by Mangam, allowing him to have a 3D view inside the patient’s body throughout the operation. This next level visualization increases precision and reduces the need for invasive procedures.
So like Russell, I responded well after the procedure, stating that the team made everything so clear, and told me it would hurt less than having a more invasive surgery later—which felt completely logical to me. He went on to boast shamelessly about the deep knowledge of the team he assembled. Ever since his operation, he has been getting better by the day. Russell was home on that Sunday, only three days after the surgery.
Mandy Lee was scared at first to have robotic surgery. She eventually chose to take the risk, to get rid of her cancer once and for all. “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,” Lee remarked.
Sudhaker Mangam, consultant physician at East Kent Hospitals, stressed what an important development this technology has been for patients in East Kent. “This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times,” he noted.
Prior to its utilization in the UK, the robotic system had already shown its success across Europe. It played a part by creating positive patient outcomes there. With robotic surgery now at QEQM, this is the latest and best evolution in medical treatment. This innovation assures that patients are getting the most advanced care tailored specifically to their needs.