Robot steadies the hands of expert surgeons

Bradford Teaching Hospitals has become only the second centre in Yorkshire – the other is Leeds – to obtain a £2m revolutionary “Da Vinci” robot.

The machine is operated by surgeons from a computer console but eliminates the problem which can affect all medics – shaky hands.

It will initially be used on patients with prostate cancer and is expected to lead to quicker recovery times and fewer complications.

Consultant urological surgeon Sanjai Addla, who has been trained to use robotic surgery at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: “This is a major and exciting advancement for urological cancer surgery here in Bradford.

“The city has a high rate of late presentation for prostate cancer – which is largely due to widespread ignorance about the disease and the availability of screening among our male population – so this machine will enable the Foundation Trust to be one of the few centres in the north of England to offer this gold standard treatment for prostate cancer patients,” added Mr Addla.

”Robotic surgery has huge benefits for the NHS, its patients and the wider community as surgery is faster, simpler, more cost effective, more precise, cuts down on bed blocking and for patients, recovery times are literally halved when compared to more traditional forms of open or laparoscopic surgery. Patients will be back on their feet more quickly and back at work sooner after major procedures.”

While the robot will only be used for urological cancer treatment initially, elsewhere the machine is used for other types of surgery, including colorectal, heart and gynaecological operations and there are plans to expand its use to other specialties in Bradford.

There are currently 28 such robots in use in the UK.