Surgeons at King’s College Hospital have performed 1,000 cases of surgery assisted by robots throughout the last two years.
King’s said the technology has been successfully used to speed up waiting lists and reduce post-operation complications. The implementation of robot-assisted procedures has helped ensure patients aren’t met with delays to their operations and can recover quicker when undergoing open or keyhole surgery.
The hospital based in Camberwell has one surgical robot, which was funded via the King’s College Hospital Chairty.
The procedures are carried out by a surgeon who is sat at a special console, which is connected to the robot. The robot is designed to mimic a surgeons hand movements with greater accuracy, enabling more delicate procedures to be undertaken in a shorter amount of time.
Mr Sasindran Ramar, Consultant Bariatric, Metabolic and General Surgeon at King’s is somewhat of an expert in using the new technology, having performed 300 cases of robotic-assisted surgery in the last 18 months. Speaking of the benefits he said: “Using the robot has been a game-changer for me as a surgeon. The 3D immersive view and super magnification (nine times the magnification of laparoscopic surgery) allows for greater precision when performing a procedure.
“The platform we use shows us where tiny nerves and vessels are located, so there is much less risk of post-operative bleeding. And after the procedure, we can suture with even greater accuracy.”
Mr Ramar, who specialises in bariatric surgery, hernia repairs and gall bladder removals, also added: “Before the introduction of the robot, I could carry out two cases per list in the time available, but this has increased to four or five since I’ve been using the robot.
“Particularly with obese patients, laparoscopic surgery has its challenges, including access, visualisation and instrument manipulation. But robotic surgery gives us better visualisation, more precise manoeuvrability and valuable feedback in real time as we carry out the procedure.
“Additionally, and crucially, my patients have been delighted with the reduced post-operative pain and quicker recovery times, meaning they can go home within 24 hours of their surgery.”
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Commenting further on the implementation of robotics within surgery, Iona Joy, Director of Grants and Insight at King’s College Hospital Charity, said “We are excited that robotic-assisted surgery at King’s is delivering multiple benefits for many patients, including faster recovery times and reduced pain post-surgery. Also, it is wonderful that it enables treatment for people with health conditions that would make operations impossible without this impressive technology.
“Contributing to ground breaking equipment like the surgical robot at King’s is one of the ways in which the Charity seeks to transform care and treatment for patients.”
