Hundreds more cancer patients to benefit from new robot

Surgeons at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust have taken delivery of a £2 million robotic surgery system which they will use to perform life-saving operations on hundreds more cancer patients every year.

The Da Vinci Xi robot - one of the most modern and advanced of its kind - has been funded by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity with money raised by supporters and through legacy donations. It is the largest single donation made by the Charity to the Trust.

This is the third robot bought using charitable funds and will boost the number of robotic procedures carried out at University Hospital, Coventry by more than 440 to around 1,300 a year.

Compared with conventional operations, robotic surgery is significantly less invasive and more precise. Patients benefit from less post-operative pain, lower blood loss, shorter stays in hospital and better outcomes, recovering at home in just a few days to weeks.

Patient Joe Argue, who has undergone two successful robotic surgeries at University Hospital, describes the technique as “game changing”.

His fundraising has raised more than £1 million, with £70,000 donated to UHCW Charity towards robotic equipment and other medical causes from his Birmingham Irish Cycle Appeal (BICA) team through sponsored bike rides across the world.

“I cannot speak highly enough of robotic surgery,” said Joe. “Just five weeks after being diagnosed, I had the operation and when I was up on the ward in recovery, I asked the nurse if I had actually had anything done because there were no aches or pains at all. It was remarkable.

“It was just as straightforward for the second operation and the recovery time was so short - three months later I was back on my bike. The two rides we have done since to help raise funds have both been more than 500 miles and I have completed them both (on a manual bike) - so that is a testimony to how good the recovery can be. I am now out on my bike three times a week training for this year’s cycle.

“Robotic surgery is a game-changer,” added Joe. “I am delighted UHCW Charity have paid for a new robot and pleased we have been able to help to make that happen.”

Jo O’Sullivan, Director of UHCW Charity, said: “The fact UHCW Charity has made its largest-ever donation - almost £2 million - shows just how vital this equipment is and the far-reaching benefits it will bring.

“We thank every one of our donors for making such a positive impact for our patients. Without them, none of this would be possible."

The arrival of the new robot was announced today as more than 300 leading surgeons and health professionals from 26 countries gathered at University Hospital for the UK Robotic HPB Conference where they are discussing the latest developments and research in liver, pancreas and biliary surgery.

Over the past 12 years, surgeons at the Trust have carried out almost 5,000 robotic surgical procedures on patients with a range of cancers including prostate, kidney, bladder, colon and rectum, gynaecology; head and neck, HPB (pancreas, liver, bile duct and duodenum); thoracic (heart and lung) and upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus and stomach).

UHCW Charity has also funded a second robotic console which will enable surgeons to train junior doctors with a hands-on approach.

Jawad Ahmad, Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic (HPB) Surgeon at UHCW NHS Trust, who is chairing the UK Robotic HPB Conference, says that was well as being minimally invasive, robotic surgery patients also benefit from earlier access to post-operative treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, minimal scarring and fewer interoperative and post-operative complications.

“Since we started robotic surgery in 2013, we have become a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence,” said Mr Ahmad. “Thousands of cancer patients have benefitted from successful surgery. UHCW boasts the largest number of senior robotic trainers in a single centre, having trained hundreds of surgeons from the UK and Europe in robotic surgery.

“We are very pleased to have this third robot available to expand the types of surgery we can offer to our patients, as well as improving training opportunities for more junior doctor staff.”

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW NHS Trust, said: “Robotic surgery is one of the top priorities for the Trust and the addition of a third system underlines our position as one of the leading centres in the UK and Europe for robotic surgery and training.

“We are very grateful to UHCW Charity and all those who have raised funds to buy our third robotic surgical system.”