Robotic assisted surgery to benefit lung patients

Royal Brompton Hospital has successfully completed its first robotic-assisted thoracic surgery following the installation of the da Vinci Xi robotic-assisted surgical system. This milestone represents a significant advancement in the hospital’s thoracic surgical programme and further strengthens the position of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust as the largest robotic-assisted surgery centre in the UK.

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is a minimally invasive procedure performed through tiny incisions, with the surgeon maintaining full control throughout. The da Vinci Xi system provides a highly magnified, 3D high-definition view of the surgical area, allowing for enhanced precision and accuracy during operations which is also facilitated through the use of highly manoeuvrable precise instruments.

The adoption of Intuitive’s da Vinci Xi system will enable surgeons at both Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals to perform complex procedures with greater dexterity, resulting in several benefits for patients, including less post-operative pain, faster recovery times, and shorter hospital stays. Furthermore, it’s expected these efficiencies will allow the surgical team to increase the number of patients treated annually, improving access to potentially life-saving procedures for those with lung conditions, including lung cancer.

Mr Simon Jordan, consultant thoracic surgeon at Royal Brompton, successfully completed the robotic-assisted surgery on the hospital’s first patients in early April. He will now work with the wider thoracic surgical teams across both Royal Brompton and Harefield in the coming months so that patients from both sites with a range of lung conditions can be treated.

Mr Jordan said: “This is a transformative moment for our thoracic surgery programme at Royal Brompton Hospital. The precision and control offered by the da Vinci Xi system allow us to provide the highest standard of care to our patients, reducing recovery times.  We hope that this will improve overall outcomes and increase the number of patients we can treat.”

Karen Shevlin, Royal Brompton theatres manager, said: “This has been a truly collaborative cross-site, cross-discipline effort between multiple teams at Brompton and Harefield. Thank you to everyone involved who has come together to enable us to make this important step forward that will undoubtedly have a profound impact on patient care.”

The implementation of the robotic-assisted da Vinci Xi system aligns with the Trust’s commitment to pioneering medical innovation and enhancing patient care. As the sixth da vinci system within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, this addition solidifies its reputation as a leader in robotic-assisted surgery across the UK.