Cancer patients at Ipswich Hospital can now experience fewer complications and a faster recovery after surgery, thanks to the introduction of state-of-the-art robotic technology.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has introduced a second £2.5m DaVinci Xi surgical robot at Ipswich Hospital. ESNEFT’s first machine was installed at Colchester Hospital around 18 months ago.
The technology allows surgeons to complete complex cancer operations using minimally-invasive keyhole surgery. As a result, patients experience very little pain after operations. Patients are less likely to develop complications such as infections. Many are able to return home earlier.
To perform an operation using the robot, the surgeon sits in the same room as the patient. The surgeon looks through an eye piece. and controls the machine’s four arms from a console. This allows them to move tissue or make cuts with incredible accuracy.
At first, the Ipswich machine will be used for bowel cancer cases. As more surgeons complete their training, the machine will also be used to treat gynaecological cancers.
Ipswich Hospital colorectal surgeon Arshad Malik has already performed several operations in Colchester. Since September, he has carried out three procedures in Ipswich.
Arshad said: “We are delighted that robotic technology is now in place at Ipswich. This follows an extremely successful launch in Colchester.
“The robot allows surgeons to carry out complex operations using a camera. It can make small incisions which are each less than one centimetre long. As a result, patients have less pain and recover sooner. One of our first patients was able to return home after 17 hours, which is amazing.
“As the robot is so precise, we are able to remove an extra layer of lymph nodes and tissues around the cancerous tissues. This improves patient outcomes and survival rates for colonic cancer, compared to traditional surgery. The robot is also incredibly stable. This makes complex surgery easier and means the surgeon is less tired after a long operation.
“Robotic surgery is set to revolutionise surgical care within next couple of decades. It’s fantastic that ESNEFT is at the forefront of those advances. It is also exciting for the surgical team to be part of this innovation. It will help us continue providing the highest quality care for our cancer patients, which is on a par with centres of excellence in colorectal surgery.”
ESNEFT’s first Davinci Xi was introduced in Colchester in September 2020. It has been used to carry out more than 300 colon, rectal and gynaecological cancer operations. The robot has also been used to perform procedures for endometriosis. Feedback from patients who were treated using the robot has been extremely positive.
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