The Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate has taken a significant step in surgical innovation by successfully performing robotic surgeries on patients. Herne Bay resident Stanley Russell was among the first UK patients to have access to this pioneering technology. He had the surgery with specialist advice from Consultant colorectal and general surgeon Sudhaker Mangam.
Stanley Russell just became the second patient in history to receive a robotic procedure at QEQM. He traced the entire journey of courageous 68-year-old Mandy Lee through her bowel cancer diagnosis. Both procedures had the benefit of a highly advanced robotic system that provides surgeons with greater precision in a less invasive manner. That means London is home to the first robotic heart surgery first pioneered by the NHS earlier this year.
On a Thursday, Sudhaker Mangam performed the robotic procedure on Lee, who had a section of her bowel removed. Lee was terrified going into the surgery. Once she learned about how valuable robotic assistance could be, she chose to move forward with it.
“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
To address her concerns, the surgical team told Lee that other regions in Europe had effectively utilized the robotic technology. Learning of these other contexts calmed her nerves even more. They assured them that the minimally invasive procedure would cause less pain than other more invasive surgeries. In particular, they pushed the benefits of having a robotic helper.
The robotic system employs four arms, all of which the surgeon remotely controls. This configuration offers a robust complex 3D visualization in the patient’s body. Plus, this technology doesn’t just improve surgical precision, it reduces recovery time for patients.
This past Sunday, just three days after his life-saving procedure, Stanley Russell was able to return home. After the experience, he wrote about the positive focus of his experience and how effectively the surgical team communicated the value they provided through their procedure.
“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
Sudhaker Mangam expressed enthusiasm about the technology’s potential impact on patient care 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
With QEQM adopting robotic surgery in its third year, patients and practitioners across the medical facility look forward to better recovery results and patient journeys. This technology shows the community’s resolute dedication to providing high quality healthcare in their region. It restores faith in preparing for faster recoveries and better surgical results for all patients who require it.