Surgeons from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London have become the first in the UK to perform surgery using a robot while livestreaming to clinical teams across the country.
The hospital currently boasts the largest robotic surgery programme of any hospital in the UK, with seven robots currently operating there across six specialties.
The Evening Standard reported that the broadcast occurred during a surgical conference.
The procedure was assisted by Hugo, a surgical robotic system developed by Medtronic.
Surgeons manipulate the robot’s arm during surgery using a controller, which provides a 3D view of the operation as it’s occurring.
The solution was designed to be portable and modular, meaning it can be transported between operating rooms and configured to fit specific patients and procedures.
A 73-year-old man was the first to have his surgery broadcast, with the team removing his prostate after a recent cancer diagnosis.
Read more: Helping hands
A technology platform that allows clinicians to virtually join an operating was used to make this first-time procedure happen.
Dr Ben Challacombe, clinical lead for robotic surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, told the Evening Standard: “[It was] a huge honour for our surgical team to be invited to share our expertise with colleagues from across the country”.
“Robotic surgery has several benefits for patients over both standard keyhole and open surgery, including less time in hospital, faster recovery times and less pain. We can make smaller incisions, avoiding larger cuts and more scarring.
“When we use the robots, we effectively have our hands inside the patient without open surgery.”
The latest developments in robotics and automated technologies used in manufacturing will be on show at the Robotics and Automation Exhibition, which will be held on 19-20 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. Register now to attend the UK’s biggest exhibition dedicated to robotics and automation.
