State-of-art robotic cancer surgery in Oxfordshire hospitals

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust purchased the cutting edge robots to enhance the treatments offered to patients, especially those who have cancer.

The systems allow surgeons to perform complex keyhole operations remotely with greater precision.

This leads to less blood-loss during the procedure, less post-operative pain, a quicker recovery time and a shorter stay in hospital.

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The robotic-assisted system provides the surgeon with a magnified 3D view of the operative fields, and the robotic arms allow for enhanced manual dexterity.

The way it works is that the surgeon sits at a console and controls the robotic arms that manipulate and cut tissues in the patient.

Then, a second console allows a trainer to supervise a surgeon who is gaining experience in performing this procedure.

Surgical robots will be used at Oxford University Hospitals to enhance treatments for patients with cancer

The two robots will be located at the Oxford Cancer and Haematology Centre at the Churchill Hospital in the city.

The da Vinci X and Xi surgical systems, which are distributed by the Oxford-based company Intuitive, will replace OUH's current da Vinci Si surgical system.

The trust purchased these more than a decade ago.

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Professor Chris Cunningham, director of OUH’s surgery, women's and oncology division, and a colorectal surgeon, said about the modern technology: "When the trust acquired the da Vinci Si robotic surgical system in 2009, it placed us at the cutting edge of cancer care.

"We are excited to receive these new systems, which will allow us to carry out keyhole procedures that were not previously possible, and to continue to deliver the best possible care.

"The clinical benefits of the kind of precision surgery that robotic systems offer are now well understood: reduced tissue trauma, blood-loss and complications such as infections and pain.

"This translates to quicker recovery times, reduced length of post-operative stay in hospital and fewer readmissions.

"All of this is great news for our patients."

The da Vinci Xi system was delivered to the Churchill Hospital in late March and was used to operate on its very first patient on Monday.

The robot will begin to be used from June regularly, but until then da Vinci Si will continue to be used alongside the Xi system.

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In the meantime, more OUH surgeons will be trained on the new system.

Professor Meghana Pandit, chief medical officer at the trust, commented on what this means for local hospitals: "We are delighted to be able to extend the trust’s robotic programme, so that we can only expand urological services, but also apply it to new specialties and new surgical procedures, for the benefit of our patients."

In addition, Professor Pandit pointed out that this new technology will play a 'major' role in future-proofing the trust’s status as a major cancer centre.