Mandy Lee, a 68-year-old patient, made medical history at the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital in East Kent. She would soon become one of the first people to have robotic surgery at the new center. On our Thursday, she had a surgical procedure. Surgeons took out a large section of her bowel after diagnosing her with bowel cancer. The cutting-edge operation took place using state-of-the-art robotic technology, first brought to the NHS in London at the start of this year.
Sudhaker Mangam, one of the world’s foremost surgeons in the field, performed Lee’s surgery. He shared how important this innovative technology is for the patients in their region. The surgery was performed with a four-armed robot. This unique tele-mentoring arrangement enabled Mangam to work functionally remotely and view a 3D model of Lee’s internal body structure. This incredible technological breakthrough has increased the precision of the surgeries performed, leading not only to superior surgical outcomes but quicker recovery times.
“My team explained everything really well and said it would be less painful than going through more invasive surgery, so that made sense to me,” said Stanley Russell, the second patient to receive a robotic procedure at QEQM.
Lee—an employee of the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation—spent three days in recovery at the hospital before returning home on Sunday. Since her surgery, she says she’s been improving daily. She is heartened by the confidence the team has in the robot’s successful implementation throughout Europe.
“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 said, reflecting on her initial feelings before the procedure.
The installation of robotic surgery at QEQM is a hugely exciting development for East Kent patients. Mangam stated, “This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.”
As hospitals continue to adopt innovative technologies, patients like Mandy Lee and Stanley Russell can look forward to receiving cutting-edge treatment options that enhance their surgical experiences and outcomes.