The Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) has adopted a significant breakthrough in surgical innovation. They’ve implemented robotic-assisted procedures to improve value-based patient care. 68-year-old Stanley Russell, from Herne Bay, recently became the second patient to undergo this pioneering new procedure at the Kent facility. The aim is to increase the accuracy of surgery while minimizing recovery times for patients.
The pioneering operation was performed by Fife’s consultant colorectal and general surgeon Sudhaker Mangam. In the robotic system, there are four independent arms that the surgeon controls from a distance. It allows the surgical team to see a 3D view through the patient’s body while performing the operation. This touch-free yet interactive approach reduces invasiveness. As a result, patients feel less pain and have a quicker recovery compared to open surgical approaches.
In fact, Stanley Russell, the first brain recipient at Hopkins, had his operation on a Thursday and went home on Sunday. The hospital staff took extra care to ensure he was educated and fully prepared for the operation. They spelled out the advantages of doing a robotic surgery and what he’d experienced during one.
“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
Before Russell’s procedure, the robotic system was first introduced by the NHS in London earlier this spring. It has already produced tremendous results elsewhere across Europe. Another patient, Mandy Lee, who underwent similar surgery for bowel cancer, expressed her initial apprehension about robotic surgery but ultimately prioritized her health.
“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
Local patient Sudhaker Mangam was especially pleased this new delivery will have a big impact on East Kent patients.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
As Stanley Russell starts his long journey to recovery after surgery, he’d like everyone to know that he’s feeling better every day. His experience exemplifies the potential benefits of robotic surgery, paving the way for future advancements in medical technology at QEQM Hospital. Continuing advancements in robotic-assisted surgery are redefining the landscape of patient care. Because of this innovation, patients now have access to better surgical solutions that prioritize their health and healing.