Surgical robot appeal

Robotic-assisted surgery improves patient and surgeon experience

Robotic-assisted surgery uses an array of robotic arms, on which are mounted a range of specialised laparoscopic instruments and a powerful camera. The system is operated by a surgeon via a console, allowing them to conduct surgery in a minimally invasive manner. The camera utilised by the robotic surgery system provides high-definition 3D imaging, which is magnified at the surgeon’s console to 10 times the size seen by the human eye.

Benefits of the surgical robots

The two robots currently in use at NNUH have already demonstrated clear benefits to patients and staff. The introduction of two additional robots at the Hospital would build upon these benefits, extending the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery to more areas of the Hospital.

Introducing additional robots at NNUH will mean the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery can be passed on to patients for whom this is not currently an option, including children undergoing paediatric surgical procedures.

Robotic-assisted surgery is transforming lives at N&N University Hospitals

The Robotic Surgery team at NNUH has grown significantly in scope and capacity with the support of the N&N Hospitals Charity. The team is now a pioneering force in the development of robotic-assisted surgery on an international scale.

• Robotic-assisted surgery has been taking place at NNUH since 2016.
• In 2017, NNUH became the first hospital in East Anglia to carry out robotic-assisted bowel cancer surgeries.
• In 2021, NNUH became the first hospital in the UK to deliver a robotic surgery training programme to surgical registrars.
• Surgeons at the Hospital have been able to lead the way in training others globally.

Case observation is the first step for surgeons who want to learn about robotic-assisted surgery before they start their training in a lab. If somebody is in Ireland or Germany, it can be difficult to get to Norfolk - Telepresence allows them to watch on a laptop and ask questions. Face-to-face learning is still preferred, but this suits busy lives and is a big step for our unit as a national and internationally renowned centre for robotic-assisted surgical training.

Professor Irshad Shaikh, Proctor and lead Robotic Surgeon at NNUH

4,000 robotic-assisted procedures carried out at NNUH to date.

828 robotic-assisted procedures have been carried out at NNUH to date.

Top 5% of the most used robots in the UK. According to Data from Intuitive, the manufacturer of the two robots at NNUH.

Expanding the scope of robotic-assisted surgery at NNUH

To grow NNUH’s capacity to offer robotic-assisted surgery and to deliver training globally in this field, we are planning to purchase two new surgical robots.

Introducing two new robots at NNUH will mean more patients are able to undergo these safer, less invasive procedures. This will ensure better surgical outcomes, resulting in shorter hospital stays and a reduced need for additional support post-surgery. This in turn will mean hospital appointments and clinical resources are made more accessible for everyone in NNUH’s community.

Expanding the Hospital’s work in robotic-assisted surgeries will also further develop NNUH’s capabilities as a centre of excellence in education and training.

The purchase of additional robots for use at NNUH will also expand the Robotic Surgery team’s capacity to deliver training, maximising the Hospital’s impact on surgical proficiency regionally, nationally and internationally.

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