One hundred head and neck patients benefit from robotic surgery at Royal Derby Hospital.
One hundred patients, cared for by the Head & Neck Theatre Team at Royal Derby Hospital, have benefited from reduced pain and a quicker recovery, thanks to an innovative robot funded by the Trust and Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity.
Today’s 100th operation, a trans-oral procedure for a patient with tongue based cancer, was led by Mr David Laugharne, Consultant Maxillofacial Head and Neck Surgeon and Mr Sean Mortimore Consultant ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon.
Mr Sean Mortimore said, “It is brilliant that we have embraced this type of treatment for Head and Neck Cancer and have been able to operate on one hundred patients thanks to these fantastic pieces of machinery. The robot has been a significant investment and we are so proud that we are one of less than a dozen NHS Trusts in the country performing this type of surgery.”
Mr David Laugharne, said, “To have performed one hundred cases at the Royal Derby Hospital represents the Trusts investment in the robotic surgery programme. The team and I look forward to the next one hundred cases at UHDB.”
Surgeons operate the robot from a console positioned beside the patient, using their hands and feet to control the camera and small instruments inside the patient.
Robotic surgery allows for tiny incisions, which can be as small as 5mm. This less invasive technique has real advantages for patients, including reduced pain, fewer complications and quicker recovery time.
