Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has carried out the region's first robot-assisted surgery (RAS) hysterectomy for a patient with severe endometriosis, reducing the time needed for recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Robot-assisted hysterectomies for endometriosis at University Hospitals Sheffield are carried out on the Da Vinci X robot.
The cutting-edge surgical procedure was carried out using a robotic surgical system controlled by a team of specially trained doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists. The average recovery time for a traditionally performed hysterectomy is six to eight weeks. In comparison, the first patient to have a total hysterectomy using robot-assisted surgery at University Hospitals Sheffield said she was able to return to normal activities within a week.
In addition, the multi-arm surgical robot can speed up the time required to perform the operation. It allows the surgical team to perform complex and delicate maneuvers, including 360-degree rotation in tight spaces, beyond what a human hand could achieve.
Working from a console, positioned near the operating table, a surgeon controls the robot during the operation. They have an enlarged, high-definition 3D view of the operating site on a screen placed in front of them, which also benefits the entire operating room team.
The first robotic hysterectomies were led by consultant gynecologist Mr Karim Abdallah, who described the breakthrough as a “remarkable achievement” for women’s health.
He said: “The successful introduction of this pioneering surgery is a major step forward in improving the health and wellbeing of women living with benign but debilitating gynecological conditions.
“Sheffield (Teaching Hospitals) is the first in South Yorkshire to offer this cutting-edge surgical procedure to help young, active women who have suffered for many years from common gynecological conditions such as endometriosis.”
Last year, the creator of the Da Vinci robot-assisted surgery system, Intuitivejoin forces with the Royal College of Surgeons of England to help shaping the future development of robot-assisted surgery.