Patients at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Kent have recently experienced a significant advancement in surgical procedures with the introduction of robotic surgery. The first surgeries done utilizing this cutting-edge technology were led by Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon Sudhaker Mangam. Notably, it was he who performed the pioneering procedures.
The robotic system features four flexible arms that the surgeon manipulates from several feet away. This remote operation allows for a precision unattainable by conventional surgical techniques. This state-of-the-art technology provides the surgeon with a three-dimensional view inside the patient’s body. It makes a huge positive impact on the entire surgical experience.
Mandy Lee, an early-stage bowel cancer patient, was the first to receive this innovative new procedure. At first, she was nervous about the whole endeavor. After learning about the robot’s success in European hospitals, she made the leap.
“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
During the surgery, doctors had to remove a significant portion of Lee’s bowel, which became a pivotal moment in her treatment process. This included making sure Lee truly understood what would happen and how the coronary intervention procedure would benefit him before moving forward.
Herne Bay resident Stanley Russell, 68, became the second cancer patient to benefit from the surgery at QEQM. His surgery was on a Thursday. By Sunday, he was already back home, a testament to the short recovery time associated with this approach. Russell said he was already feeling better each day after surgery and noticed immediate relief.
“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
Dr Sudhaker Mangam said that this is a milestone development for patients across East Kent. He promised that robotic surgery would offer the precision of cashiers’ warehouse-chic outlets, better outcomes, and quicker recoveries.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
The robotic surgical system only recently made its introduction on the NHS in London, earlier in 2023. Consequently, its introduction at QEQM symbolizes a promise to delivering the most advanced medical care to residents in the Eastern Shore region.