Surgical robot used in 280 life-saving Northampton hospital operations

18 August 2023

Miriam Earp & Tom PercivalBBC News, Northamptonshire

News image — The da Vinci XI surgical robot was installed at Northampton General Hospital in February 2022

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group Surgical robot — The da Vinci XI surgical robot was installed at Northampton General Hospital in February 2022

A "state-of-the-art" surgical robot has been used in more than 280 life-saving cancer operations, a hospital said.

Northampton General Hospital (NGH) invested £1.7m in the machine, which helps improve patient recovery times.

The robot operates in "hard-to-reach areas, with better outcomes for patients," NGH surgeon Mr Chandran Tanabalan said.

So far, it has been used in operations on prostate, uterine, rectal and bowel cancer and head and neck tumours.

Tom Percival/BBC Mr Chandran Tanabalan Urological Surgeon at NGH — "Surgical robots have great benefits for patients," said urological surgeon Mr Chandran Tanabalan

The da Vinci XI surgical robot was installed in the main operating theatre at NGH in February 2022.

Mr Tanabalan urological surgeon at NGH, has been using it in his surgeries.

He said: "The robot doesn't carry out the operation; surgeons use the robot to enable more precision, flexibility and control.

"That means smaller wounds which heal faster and enable patients to go home earlier."

Tom Percival/BBC The da Vinci XI surgical robot with 'octopus arms' — So far, the da Vinci XI has been used in urology, colorectal, head and neck and gynaecological procedures

The hospital showcased the robot and its patient care benefits to the public during an event on Thursday.

The event also allowed patients who were under general anaesthetics during their operations to see how their procedures were delivered.

Ian Dowell, 60, from Rushden, had his prostate removed in June, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2022.

Tom Percival/BBC Ian Dowell — Ian Dowell was in hospital for one night after his prostate operation

He said: "This amazing bit of kit was used to help remove my prostate.

"Even though it is a major operation I was only in hospital for one night, I didn't need any post operative pain relief and my recovery has been excellent."

Ross Thompson, 72, from Moulton, had his prostate removed in September.

He said: "I came in to hospital about 07:00 and went home about 15:00 BST the next day.

"Having an operation using the robot means you have much smaller wounds and they heal a lot quicker

"I pretty much felt back to normal in a few weeks.

"I would say to people there are definite benefits to having this kind of operation if it is offered to you."

Tom Percival/BBC Ross Thompson — Ross Thompson would encourage other patients to accept this type of surgery if it is available to them

The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, which runs Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals, hopes to expand this new surgical option and is training more surgeons of different specialties to use the robot.