Yesterday’s (26th Jan) ‘Super Sunday’ saw surgeons undertake ten laparoscopic procedures with all of the patients treated as day surgery cases. The faster recovery following robotic surgery has allowed this to be achieved.
It follows a record-breaking December during which Addenbrooke’s carried out 2,142 elective operations, despite winter pressures. It marks the highest number of elective procedures ever carried out in that month – 276 operations more than the average December - benefiting hip, knee, cancer and many other kinds of patients.
Sunday’s marathon focussed on cholecystectomies – a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder and offered in the event of painful gallstones in the upper part of the stomach. The pouch-like gallbladder is not medically essential.
By undertaking the same procedures in two theatres with two specialist da Vinci robots, one of which was bought by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), specially trained surgeons can perform a large number of these operations safely and efficiently, helping reduce waiting lists. Many of the patients who developed more complex gallbladder disease had benefited from the faster recovery provided by robotic surgery.
Addenbrooke’s robots are used across six specialties - urology, gynae-oncology, gynaecology, colorectal, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and HPB (hepato-pancreatico-biliary - diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tree).
Chair of the Trust’s Robotic Surgery Steering Group (RUG), hepatobiliary surgeon Mr Siong-Seng Liau, said: “Robotic surgery has revolutionised patient care, providing better precision and accuracy. It is less invasive allowing patients to recover more quickly and to have a shorter stay in hospital. In many cases, robotic surgery has converted some patients who conventionally may require open surgery due to more complex disease to now undergoing day-case robotic surgery.”
Operations manager, Graham Johnston, added: “I would like to thank the robotic team for an incredibly successful Sunday, and everyone who works in theatres for an amazing couple of months. It has been a huge team effort during a really challenging time of year.”
ACT CEO, Shelly Thake, said: “It is such a positive thing to hear the robot our supporters paid for is helping to reduce waiting lists. Every donation made really makes a huge difference.”
To make a donation to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/donate
Patient Ian applauds Super Sunday team
A great grandfather who had his gallbladder removed thanks to a robot and skilled surgeon Mr Siong-Seng Liau, said this week: “It was just remarkable.”
Ian Dove, 51, from Burwell, says he went into theatre at noon and left Addenbrooke’s at 3.30pm the same day. Had he undergone open surgery he would have been in hospital for a week.
He said: “And the incredible thing is that I left without any pain. I think keyhole surgery and Super Sundays to cut waiting lists are a fantastic idea.”
Mr Dove, who works in construction, went to his GP when he started suffering from pain in his upper stomach. The pain came and went, but when it became constant, he was referred to Addenbrooke’s.
After a lengthy wait for his operation Mr Dove, who was increasingly having to take days off work, jumped at the opportunity to be added to a smaller pilot Super Sunday list in December.
After a few weeks recovering at home Mr Dove, who has 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, is looking forward to spending more time with them.
He is also eager to return to fishing and getting back on a motorbike. He is hoping to ride in the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races in June.
Mr Dove, who lives with wife Glynis said: “There were days when I couldn’t pick up a screwdriver, let alone move bricks and plasterboards, but after the operation I was absolutely fine with the exception of a few ‘bullet holes’, which you can hardly see now.
“I’m really looking forward to getting on the bike and going to the Isle of Man. It is an amazing spectacle and a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.”
Image: The Super Sunday team in front of one of the da Vinci robots
