East Kent have led the way with an audacious jump to robot-assisted surgery! With this new QEQM is now able to do robotic surgery which promises to provide even better care to patients. Consultant colorectal and general surgeon Sudhaker Mangam, who performed the initial procedures on the new Versius system, an advanced robotic system. This revolutionary technology provides tremendous hope for patients undergoing the most complicated surgical interventions.
Thursday’s robot-assisted procedure to remove part of her bowel was the first of its kind for any of Lee’s doctors. This surgery was a direct result of her diagnosis of bowel cancer. This cutting-edge robot—which featured four arms and was remotely controlled by Mangam—provided increased precision in the operating room. This cutting-edge technology gave Lee an accurate 3D look at her anatomy, allowing her to see inside her body and make precise interventions.
Lee told us that she was initially afraid of having robotic surgery, but decided to focus on her wellbeing and getting cancer out.
“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
She reported that her experience was less painful than anticipated, which aligns with the hospital’s commitment to patient comfort. Lee came back home only three days after the operation, on Sunday, and he is now recovering nicely. She noted, “I am feeling better every day after the operation.”
The successful surgery is a deeply personal victory for Lee. It lays the groundwork for future patients at QEQM. Sudhaker Mangam through the stories of local heroes told us why this technological leap is so important for his community.
“This marks a major advancement in surgical capability for east Kent patients, enabling greater precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery times.” – Sudhaker Mangam
It didn’t just end there though, as soon after Lee, Stanley Russell became the second patient to have a robotic procedure at QEQM. He said the same sort of thing about how great the procedure is. “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,” he stated.
Robotic surgery has recently been introduced at QEQM. This decision further underpins the NHS’s drive to increase surgery capacity across the United Kingdom. History The NHS for the first time deployed this technology in 2023 in London. This trailblazing move has encouraged other hospitals, such as QEQM, to adopt these creative practices.
Robotic surgery is an evolving and expanding technology within the dynamic NHS framework. This story of Lee and Russell’s experience is just the beginning of this new chapter in surgical practices. The impact of this technology on patient outcomes at QEQM will be profound. More importantly, it will improve the surgical experience for one and all in East Kent.
