News | Da Vinci™ Robot
Robotic Surgery in Leicester
Leicester purchased the Da Vinci system in the summer of 2014 and robotic prostatic, gynaecological and colorectal surgery commenced in September 2014. The Leicester HPB unit have also launched their own robotic programme with the aim of steadily increasing the numbers and complexity of the cases of the procedures undertaken.
The Da Vinci™ Robot is the most advanced surgical instrument in existence. First used in 1999 it has now been used in hundreds of thousands of procedures around the world. The advanced technology means that some operations which in the past could only be performed by open surgery (a longer cut) can now be performed through small incisions. Other operations, which could be performed by standard laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery but with difficulty, can now be performed with greater accuracy.
To perform the operation the surgeon makes small incisions in the patient, through which narrow tubes called ports (keyholes) are placed. The Da Vinci™ Robot is attached to the ports and the robotic instruments are passed through the ports, into the patient. The surgeon then sits beside the patient in a ‘console’ and controls the robotic instruments from there.
The Da Vinci system is not a true ‘robot’ – it cannot act on its own. The surgery is performed entirely by the surgeon who controls the robotic instruments at all times. This is why the term ‘Robot Assisted’ Laparoscopic Surgery is used.
Leicester is truly breaking new ground pioneering robotic HPB surgery in the United Kingdom. Results from the robotic programme will be evaluated once sufficient data has been obtained to determine if is of benefit in highly complex HPB operations such as liver and pancreatic resections.
Below is an Image of the Da Vinci™ Robot in action.
