Surgical robot performs first operation on patient at Dewsbury Hospital

A surgical robot at a West Yorkshire hospital has performed its first operation on a patient.
Laura Reid
By Laura Reid
Published 11th Jul 2023, 11:50 BST

The robot at Dewsbury and District Hospital was used to perform a laparoscopy to remove a section of the patient’s colon as a treatment for bowel cancer, a procedure which takes around three to four hours.

The da Vinci X robot, which arrived at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust in June, provides enhanced precision and accuracy, which reduces the risk of complications and infections. Its minimally invasive approach results in smaller incisions and quicker recovery times for patients.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Steven Everson, the first patient to be treated by the new robot, said: “Robotic surgery makes the procedure more precise and accurate and I’m all for any new technologies which can assist the medical team.”

Steven Everson, the first patient to be treated by the robot, and Hannah Welbourn, colorectal consultantSteven Everson, the first patient to be treated by the robot, and Hannah Welbourn, colorectal consultant
Steven Everson, the first patient to be treated by the robot, and Hannah Welbourn, colorectal consultant

Hannah Welbourn, colorectal consultant leading on the procedure, said: “Robotic surgery has already shown huge improvements in patient care and recovery times.”

The da Vinci X is second addition to the trust’s suite of technological equipment, with robotic-assisted surgery already proving successful at Pinderfields Hospital, performing procedures in urology and gynaecology.

Related topics:West Yorkshire