Stanley Russell, a 68-year-old from Herne Bay, recently became a historic first. In doing so, he became the second patient ever to receive a pioneering robotic surgical procedure at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM). Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon Sudhaker Mangam headed the pioneering procedure to shave eight inches off Russell’s bowel. This complex procedure is a world-leading step forward in East Kent’s surgical capability for complex patients.
On the Thursday morning of her procedure, Russell stepped into the operating room, where the robotic system — Kettering’s newest, most advanced technology — was set up and waiting. The robot consists of four arms that the surgeon controls from a distance, allowing for greater precision in the operation. With state-of-the-art technology, Mangam was able to see a highly-detailed, 3D slice of Russell’s anatomy. This innovation allowed providers to have increased precision and delivery of care.
Russell admits at first he was afraid of robotic surgery, but decided to be proactive about his health.
“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
Though his surgery went well, it took Russell a few days to come back around. He was released from the hospital on Sunday and has since claimed to feel better every day.
Consultant Sudhaker Mangam emphasized how big of a deal this step is for patients living in the area.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
Russell’s experience is part of one of the most significant trends in modern medicine. The increasing use of robotic-assisted surgeries is becoming so widespread. Hospitals such as QEQM are more commonly using such technologies to improve patient experience and surgical outcomes. Procedures and technologies like these are what keep patients like Stanley Russell healthy. With innovation like this, their progress makes the way for future innovations in healthcare.
