 The surgery only requires a 10cm incision to be made |
A new surgical procedure for bladder cancer patients, which could avoid the loss of their sex life, has been carried out at Bristol Royal Infirmary. The nerve-sparing laparoscopic surgery, only needs a 10cm incision - rather than open surgery, risking infection.
Barry Thomas, 48, from Bristol, is thought to have been the first person in the UK treated with this procedure.
The technique means it is no longer necessary to move the bowel out the way to get to the bladder.
Previously the procedure involved lots of blood loss, a risk of infection and a long stay in hospital.
The new method does away with the need for blood transfusions and less pain relief is required so the patient recovers more quickly.
As the nerves are not damaged, sexual function is maintained.
The operation was carried out by Mr Mark Wright and Dr Raj Persad.
Mr Wright trained in Cleveland in the US where this surgery was first done.
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