Stanley Russell, a 68-year-old from Herne Bay, is the second patient to undergo a pioneering robotic surgical procedure. He had the procedure done at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Kent. The operation, performed on a Thursday, was directed by Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon Sudhaker Mangam. Russell’s surgery was the first of many planned operations to increase surgical capacity in east Kent. This project started to build momentum once the NHS was able to highlight the introduction of robotic surgery in London earlier this year.
The da Vinci surgical system is an innovative robotic system that includes four arms the surgeon manipulates remotely. While performing the procedure, Mangam was able to see a 3D view inside Russell’s body, delivering more precision and control. This emerging technology brings us one step closer to enabling less invasive surgeries to help provide the best possible patient outcomes with reduced recovery times.
Russell was particularly impressed by the team’s ability to explain principles. Their promise that the robotic operation would be less painful than the alternative invasive surgery convinced him that this was the best way to go ahead.
After this very successful surgery, Stanley Russell was able to go home Sunday, a mere three days after the surgery. Click here to read more about his relief and good spirits concerning his recovery and growing enthusiasm about his improved condition. He is on the mend each day since the procedure.
Surgeon Sudhaker Mangam, principal investigator of the project, said this was a big milestone in the field of surgery technology.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
With robotic surgery, we’ve already received high patient satisfaction scores. Mandy had her own challenges when she needed surgery to repair her bowel after part of it was removed because of cancer. Initially, she was intimidated by the thought of robotic surgery.
“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
The introduction of robotic procedures at QEQM is part of an ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare services in the region. Every day, patients like Russell are enjoying the fruits of cutting-edge medical innovations. Promising results from earlier surgeries and the established effective use of this technology all over Europe have doused their hope with gasoline.