Cutting-edge surgery technology on show
PIONEERING robotic surgery research is taking place in Exeter.
The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with academics from the University of Exeter to carry out the research to look at how robotic technology can help surgeons performing complex operations.
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And to celebrate the beginning of the programme, and mark the launch of prostate cancer awareness month, members of the public are being given an opportunity to test out the new technology.
On Thursday, February 28, a demo robot, complete with computer console, will be located in the main reception of Wonford Hospital in Exeter.
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Surgeons will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate how the equipment is used.
Visitors will be invited to try out the robot for themselves – on peas rather than patients – and hospital staff and prostate cancer support groups will also be available to advise on symptoms, treatment and local support services.
The trust took delivery of its first £2.5m state-of-the-art robotic equipment in late December 2012 and is one of about 20 hospitals in the UK now using robots in complex surgery to target prostate cancers.
During robot-assisted surgery, the surgeon sits at a remote computer console to operate and control four robotic arms that carries out the guided surgery.
The surgeon watches and guides the whole procedure on a high-definition computer screen with 3D vision.
Research and clinical tests have already confirmed the benefits and safety of robotic surgery for patients in certain kinds of complex surgery.
These benefits include a faster recovery and reduced blood loss.
However, little is known about the benefits that robotically-assisted surgery may offer the surgeon and the operating team in theatre.
Consultant urological surgeon, John McGrath said: "Because of the robot's precision and cutting-edge technology, such as 3D vision and magnified views, it has been suggested that surgeons can be trained more quickly and will feel less stress during difficult procedures.
"If this is the case, the surgeon may be better equipped to safely deal with stressful situations during complex surgery."
That's what Mr McGrath and the research team are set to find out, having won a highly-prestigious grant from Intuitive Surgical in California, manufacturers of the da Vinci surgical robot.
The company has agreed to fully fund provision of a second robot at the RD&E for nine months to exclusively run studies looking at differences in the mental workload, stress and learning curves of novice and expert surgeons.
The findings will help inform the wider NHS about the potential benefits of robotic surgery in training the next generation of surgeons.
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