New robotic surgery
A state-of-the-art robotic surgery machine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital will allow us to perform more complex operations and reduce the time patients spend in hospital.
The Da Vinci Xi Surgical System is operated by a surgeon who sits at a console beside the patient, viewing live 3-dimentional images of the patients’ inner organs, with surgical assistants at the operating table.
The new robot will cause less trauma to patients during operations as there is no cutting of the ribs or breastbone, reducing blood loss and scarring. Patients have also been shown to recover faster because of the much less invasive approach using robotic assisted-surgery.
The robotic machine at St Bartholomew’s will be the first in the country to be dedicated to cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Alistair Chesser, Chief Medical Officer of Barts Health NHS Trust, said:
“Robotic surgery is an example of a cutting edge development which is likely to improve outcomes for patients, reduce complications, and give patients who might have previously been unsuitable for surgery the opportunity to benefit. These developments will enhance the leading position occupied by Barts Health surgical teams in terms of innovation, research, patient experience and clinical outcomes.
“We know that patients in East London more often present with cancer later in the disease course than in other parts of the country, and that this has can have an effect on long term outcomes. Robotic surgery is one of many approaches being adopted by Barts Health and its partners to address this important challenge.”
The robot has been funded by Barts Charity. Fiona Miller-Smith, CEO, added: “We are tremendously proud of funding the introduction of robotic surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust. This award supports our joint ambition to provide innovative, state-of-the-art treatment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our patients.”