A major step forward in cancer care in Sheffield and beyond has been marked with the official unveiling of the new cutting-edge surgical robot and technology at the Northern General Hospital.
The arrival of the new dual console da Vinci Xi surgical system has been made possible thanks to a generous £1.45m donation from Sheffield Hospitals Charity, the largest single donation from the Charity.
Surgeons, nurses, theatre operating staff, anaesthetists, theatre operating staff, planning and estates teams joined together with Sheffield Hospitals Charity in the newly renovated theatre within the hospital's main theatres complex to mark the occasion.
Its introduction was celebrated in unique style as the robot and surgical system was used to perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, using its advanced precision controls to snip the ribbon and officially mark its debut at the hospital.
How does it work?
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The surgeon has total control of the robot
The state-of-the-art technology lets surgeons work in hard-to-reach areas using robotic-assisted arms with flexible, tiny wristed instruments and a high-definition 3D view allowing for fewer and less invasive incisions, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. These benefits could enable hundreds of patients to return to normal life sooner.
The advanced technology is controlled by the surgeon who sits at a console with hand and foot controls and a magnified high-definition 3D view of the surgical site.
It will be used for a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures, including general, thoracic (lung), colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary (pancreas/liver), upper gastrointestinal (oesophagus/stomach), and endocrinology and to treat cancerous tumours in the lung, oesophagus, stomach, bowel, liver, and pancreas.
Life-changing robotic-assisted surgery begins
The first procedures performed on the brand-new robotic-assisted surgical system took place this week.
The first of these included three gall bladder operations, led by consultant surgeons Mr Clive Kelty and Mr Martin Trotter on the first day and a further three later in the week. The thoracic surgery team, led by Mr Luigi Ventura, performed the first thoracic procedures using the new surgical robot on Tuesday and Thursday. This included a lung lobectomy and a lung segmentectomy for the treatment of patients with lung cancer.
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The thoracic surgery team were among the first to use the new Da Vinci XI surgical system at the Northern General Hospital
Beth Crackles, Chief Executive at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: "Sheffield Hospitals Charity is proud to have contributed £1.45 million to bring this robot to the Northern General Hospital. It is the largest single donation we have ever made and one that reflects our confidence in the life‑changing impact this technology will have for patients and the NHS.
"Made possible by the generosity of thousands of supporters, this robot is a gamechanger for those undergoing cancer surgery in Sheffield. Moreover, it will enable more people to access minimally invasive surgery closer to home, helping patients recover faster, and return to everyday life sooner.
"It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its NHS."
Kirsten Major, Chief Executive for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We were an early pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery in the UK, with the first procedures for bladder cancer patients performed at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in 2013. So, it's fantastic to now have the new da Vinci Xi robot at the Northern General Hospital thanks to the incredible generosity of Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their supporters. Expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery is one of the key ambitions of the NHS Ten Year Plan, so the introduction of this newest robot and surgical system represents another significant step forward in advancing patient care for those in Sheffield and beyond. It also reaffirms our commitment to innovation."
Increasing the number of robotic-assisted surgeries forms a key part of the new National Cancer Plan. The trailblazing approach is also part of a key drive to reduce waiting times, with the NHS aiming for 500,000 robotic-supported operations a year by 2035 as part of a drive .
Related articles:
- New surgical robot for cancer patients made possible thanks to Sheffield Hospitals Charity
- Patients to benefit from new state of the art surgical robot, thanks to £1.3 million donation
