Press release
3 August 2010
State-of-the-art robot to perform gynaecological procedures at
The London Clinic
The London Clinic has become one of the first
independent UK hospitals to perform robotic-assisted surgery for
gynaecological procedures. Building upon its already
well-established and renowned reputation for performing complex,
robotic surgery for prostate cancer, the hospital is now set to
lead the way in the field of gynaecology using its state-of-the-art
daVinci S HD Surgical
System®.
The advanced system will enable surgeons to
perform minimally invasive procedures for common gynaecological
conditions such as fibroids, abnormal bleeding, endometriosis,
pelvic floor prolapse and fallopian tube surgery. In contrast to
the more traditional forms of open surgery, robotic-assisted
surgery can offer greater overall treatment and recovery benefits
for patients, including:
- - Less blood
loss/need for blood transfusions
- - Faster
recovery with a shorter hospital stay
- - Significantly
less post-operative pain
- - Fewer
incisions and therefore less scarring
Unlike conventional laparoscopic (keyhole)
surgery, the new system integrates 3D HD optics and
state-of-the-art robotic technology to virtually extend the
surgeon’s eye and hands into the surgical field. This results in
unparalleled 3D HD visualisation, enhanced dexterity, precision and
control and superior ergonomics. In addition, surgeons will
experience less fatigue as the overall complexity of procedures is
reduced.
Consultant gynaecologists Mr Peter
Barton-Smith and Professor Jeremy Wright are the most experienced
consultants in the UK field of benign gynaecological robotic
surgery and will head The London Clinic’s team of specialist
gynaecological robotic surgeons. Between them, they have already
performed the highest number of gynaecological procedures using the
robot in the UK.
Mr Barton-Smith, who is currently the only
robotic gynaecological trainer in the UK, comments: “The benefits
of this technology for patients are unparalleled. Instead of
undergoing major open surgery, women can now expect minimally
invasive procedures with previously unattainable accuracy and
precision for common, benign, gynaecological procedures. This is a
major leap forward in both reducing surgical complications, and
giving us greater treatment options than ever before.”
There are numerous minimally-invasive
procedures that can be performed using the robot, and the most
common are:
-
Hysterectomy – the surgical removal of the uterus,
which can be affected by a variety
of gynaecological
conditions
-
Myomectomy – involves the surgical removal of
fibroids from the uterus. This
procedure preserves the
uterus and may be recommended for women who need to
preserve their fertility
-
Sacrocolpopexy – is a procedure to correct vaginal
prolapse, as a result of childbirth,
the ageing process and
after hysterectomy. Mesh is used to hold the vagina in
the
correct anatomical
position
-
Endometriosis – excision of endometriosis is the
best surgical approach to the disease
and, as the abnormal spots
often lie on important sensitive structures in the pelvis,
the robot is ideally
suited as the surgeon’s view and precision is unsurpassed
-
Fallopian tube surgery – IVF has resulted in this
surgery becoming less common.
However for women who cannot
afford IVF and have tubal damage this may be
an option
Malcolm Miller, Chief Executive of The London
Clinic, adds: “The London Clinic prides itself on being able to
offer the very best in medical treatments and patient care. Our
decision, therefore, to invest more than £1million in the upgraded
daVinci S HD Surgical System in 2007 - primarily for the treatment
of prostate cancer - was not a difficult one to make as the patient
benefits were so clear. 1
“We recognised the importance of extending the
robot’s usage into the gynaecological field and now, three years
on, we are delighted to be one of the UK’s first hospitals able to
offer this advancement to our female patients.”
ENDS
For more press information or to
request an interview with Mr Peter Barton-Smith or Professor Jeremy
Wright, or a patient case study, please email pressoffice@thelondonclinic.co.uk
or call Tracey Thompson or Jo Gulliver on: 020 8786
3860.
Notes to
Editors:
1 The London Clinic
is home to the second busiest robotic surgery centre in
Europe and has performed more than 750 radical
prostatectomies since November 2005
- - The London Clinic is
the UK’s largest independently-owned hospital
-
- 271 patient rooms and 12 operating
theatres including dedicated endoscopy suites and
-
a day surgery unit
- - 24 hour
consultant-led Intensive Care Unit with 11 beds
-
- As a registered charity and
not-for-profit organisation, The London Clinic is able to
continuously reinvest in the latest
medical technology, facilities and clinical and
nursing support
-
- Highly complex procedures in addition
to routine surgery and medicine such as live donor
liver and kidney transplants
- - Located on Harley
Street in the heart of London’s medical community
- - Long-standing
international reputation attracting leading consultants for over 77
years