NHS Ayrshire & Arran are delighted to have had a very successful first week of delivering robot assisted surgery at University Hospital Crosshouse.
Following the arrival of the new surgical robot earlier this year, the team of surgeons and nurses have been undergoing intensive training in preparation of this new approach to surgery.
Dr Inna Sokolova, Clinical Director and Consultant Gynaecological Surgeon said, “After many months of preparation and training, I am thrilled we can now offer this novel approach to anyone requiring robotic gynaecological surgery in Ayrshire and Arran. It will allow us to offer more advanced surgical procedures closer to home, whilst maintaining the benefits of a shorter stay in hospital and quicker recovery from surgery.”
The NHS Ayrshire & Arran surgical team is eager to reassure patients that robot assisted surgery still requires an experienced surgeon to complete any robot assisted operation. The real benefits of the robot is that it enables the smallest of surgical instruments to be inserted into the abdomen providing live, enhanced 3D imagery of the site to be operated on. The surgeon can visualise the patient’s abdomen and use master controls to direct and manoeuvre the instruments with millimetre precision.
Dr Sokolova added, “I am passionate about the gynaecology service paving the way for other key services within NHS Ayrshire & Arran to introduce robotic surgery. It has been a true privilege to lead the way and I am delighted that our team is at the forefront of this exciting cutting edge development.
“Over the initial three days of robotic surgery, we carried out procedures such as the removal of fallopian tubes, ovaries and hysterectomy procedures. Going forward and in line with the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan we will be using the robot for endometriosis related surgery and expanding the range of minimally invasive treatments for female pelvic floor dysfunction and reconstruction.”
Donna from North Ayrshire, one of the first patients to receive surgery using the robot, said:
“I am really excited to be receiving this pioneering surgery. Prior to surgery, I was a little nervous. However, the team quickly reassured and explained everything to me beforehand.
“After the operation I was surprised at how well I felt. My wounds are small incisions which are beginning to heal well. A week on from the operation and I can go a small walk to get fresh air. Every day I feel more improvement.”
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Chief Executive, Claire Burden said, “Bringing robot assisted surgery to Ayrshire and Arran has been a priority for us and I am really pleased to see our patients starting to benefit from this. We know from experience elsewhere that not only will patients benefit, but this will also help us to attract, train and retain our surgeons which will help ensure we continue to provide the best interventions that modern surgery can offer. We appreciate the investment made by NHS Scotland and we will look forward to being part of making this novel practice mainstream in years to come.”
Picture: (from left to right) Deborah Rooney (staff nurse), Donna (patient) and Fiona Brown (senior charge nurse)