A mum-of-four who had a hysterectomy and was back home within 24 hours is among thousands of patients who have benefited from an NHS robotic surgery revolution. The health service plans to dramatically scale up use of the precision technology over the next decade in an effort to cut waiting times. Half a million operations will be supported by robotics each year by 2035 — up from 70,000 in 2023/24.
And nine in 10 keyhole surgeries, such as the removal of certain organs affected by cancer, will be performed with assistance within 10 years, up from one in five today. Robotic platforms allow surgeons to control and manipulate instruments with greater precision and dexterity, while controlling them from a console using a 3D camera.
Nichola Collins, of Thornton-Cleveleys in north west England, had her operation at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital using the da Vinci Xi surgical system.
The 46-year-old said: “I only knew about the old way of doing a hysterectomy, and that often meant two to four days in hospital — sometimes even a week.
“One of the main reasons I opted for the robotic procedure was because I’ve got young children, four in all. I didn’t want a long recuperation afterwards, so it was a big benefit.
“My recovery has been significantly quicker than I would have thought. I followed the advice I was given and took it easy, mostly resting. But from about week two, I was up and about more, moving around, even going downstairs. The procedure went perfectly.”
The da Vinci Xi platform allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with greater precision by controlling robotic arms that replicate their movements.
Nichola said the operation made a “huge difference” to her quality of life. She added: “I was amazed at how they could do something so intricate using robotic arms, I found it incredible.
“I just felt really lucky to have been offered that option, especially with my family circumstances.”
Robotic surgery is expected to become the default for many operations, including an increasing number of emergency procedures.
It is particularly important for keyhole surgery, where a surgeon uses only small cuts and a camera to minimise tissue damage.
NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey is due to announce the expansion at the NHS ConfedExo annual conference in Manchester on Wednesday.
He said: “The NHS has pledged to return to shorter elective waiting times by 2029 and we are using every tool at our disposal to ensure patients get the best possible treatment.
“Expanding the use of new and exciting tech such as robotic surgery will play a huge part in this.
“Not only does it speed up the number of procedures the NHS can do, but it also means better outcomes, a faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.”
Robotics were previously largely used for urological cancer surgery, but its use is now expanding to soft tissue procedures such as hernia repair and gallbladder removal, and orthopaedic surgery, including knee and hip replacements.
John McGrath, a consultant surgeon at North Bristol NHS Trust and chair of the NHSE Steering Committee for Robotic Assisted Surgery, said this was “a perfect example of innovation improving patients’ care and transforming the way the NHS works”.
He added: “Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays are not only hugely important benefits for patients undergoing surgery, if used efficiently they can have a positive impact on the rest of the system by relieving pressure on services and therefore helping to reduce waiting times.
“Robot-assisted surgery can also make complex operations less physically demanding for surgeons, with the potential to reduce strain on surgical teams, allowing a greater number of complex surgeries to be carried out each day.”
Earlier this year, a four-month-old boy in Manchester became the youngest child in the world to successfully have surgery using the cutting-edge Versius Surgical System.
Mohammed weighed just 6kg when he underwent the robot-assisted operation to remove part of a narrow kidney tube, as part of a clinical study.
His mum Mariam said: “We didn’t think it would be possible for him to have the surgery needed to fix the problem at just four months old. We thought that he would be too small.
“It was a huge relief when we found out that he wouldn’t have to wait because doctors can operate so precisely using the robotic system.
“Mohammed was back home just three days after the surgery and he’s doing great. Of course, his health is the most important, but as parents you worry about everything. With this surgery we’re really grateful that there is minimal scarring. We are so glad we took part in this study.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said his own life-saving treatment for kidney cancer had involved “an operation led by a world-class surgeon being helped by a robot”.
He added: “Innovative treatments and technologies that help fast track better outcomes for patients is how we transform our NHS and make it fit for the future.”
