In 2021 Cromwell Hospital installed the latest da Vinci Xi robotic-assisted surgical system to treat patients through minimally invasive surgery, improve patients’ recovery, and enhance its surgical strategy. Since its installation the da Vinci Xi has been used to treat over 300 patients, across a wide range of specialties such as gynaecology, thoracic surgery, HpB (Hepato-Pancreatco-Biliary), urology, paediatrics, and orthopaedic surgery.

The da Vinci Xi surgical system helps surgeons to perform complex keyhole operations. It provides surgeons with superior visualisation, enhanced vision, and greater precision and control and flexibility when operating. Learn more about the benefits of the da Vinci Xi and how it works from Mr Christopher Anderson, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Cromwell Hospital.

There are huge benefits to patients who have robotic assisted surgery such as, less pain, faster recovery time, less chance of scarring and tissue loss, and less blood loss.

The surgeon using the da Vinci robotic system sits at a console in the operating theatre, viewing live 3D images of the patient’s inner organs.

Using hand and foot controls, the surgeon is able to manipulate the camera system and miniature instruments inside the patient’s body, allowing extremely precise and delicate surgery to be performed through tiny incisions.

Mr Amer Raza, Consultant Gynaecologist at Cromwell Hospital, said; “The accuracy and precision of the da Vinci system works really well for keyhole procedures such as hysterectomies and complex endometriosis. Using the da Vinci Xi means our patients are able to leave hospital and recover more quickly.”

Mr Asit Arora, ENT Airway Robotic Head & Neck Consultant Surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, commented on the impact of the da Vinci Xi for throat cancer patients; “Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimal access technique that harnesses advances in technology, the advantage of which is optimising patient care. We use TORS for patients who have throat cancer and sometimes growths or lesions in areas that are difficult to access. We used to have to use an invasive approach, which would mean three to four weeks of recovery. Now we have a minimally invasive tool that preserves the vital structures which are important for functions such as swallowing and speech, and it means a shorter recovery time for our patients.”

Find out more about the advanced robotic technologies available at Cromwell Hospital.