Stanley Russell recently became the second patient to undergo a robotic surgical procedure at the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Kent. This groundbreaking surgery which is funded in full by the NHS first launched in London earlier this year. It has the potential to deliver more accuracy and speed up patients’ recovery.
Russell’s operation took place at Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust on a Thursday, with Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon Sudhaker Mangam in charge of the robotic operation. The operation both removed part of Russell’s bowel and reconnected it. This important move followed on the heels of his diagnosis of stage 4 bowel cancer. After the procedure, Russell came home on Sunday and is already saying that he’s feeling better every day.
The robotic surgical system used in the procedure consists of four arms, all controlled from a distance by the surgeon. This groundbreaking tech allows surgeons to visualize their patient’s anatomy in 3D while they operate. Secondly, they are very much like digital platforms that use data to tremendously improve accuracy and control.
Mandy Lee, the first patient to undergo this groundbreaking technique, shared her concerns going in.
“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
Her medical team calmed Lee’s jitters by reminding her that Eastern and Western Europe had already adopted the robotic system with great success. Because of that, they achieved positive results. The surgical team took their time to explain the procedure to her prior to surgery, ensuring she felt comfortable with her decision.
Russell said post-surgery that the team laid it all out for him in a way that made sense. Their promise that it would hurt less than a full-on surgery sounded like a dream come true.
Sudhaker Mangam reinforced, saying, “This is a major technological development that will help our 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.” – Sudhaker Mangam
The introduction of robotic surgery at QEQM reflects a broader trend within the NHS to integrate advanced technologies into patient care. The single most common reason hospitals adopt these innovations is to improve surgery techniques. They continue to innovate, providing patients with treatment options that deliver results with less pain and shorter recovery times.