Cancer patients reveal the benefits of minimally invasive surgery at special event to mark the fifth anniversary of robotic surgery at Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Two patients have spoken about their quick recovery after undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) surgery to treat cancer, during a special event to mark the fifth anniversary of robotic surgery being introduced to Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

James Virtue, whose prostate was removed after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2021, and Peter Jarvis, who had part of his colon removed after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2020, revealed how they were both back at home just days after surgeons used the da Vinci xi Robot Surgery System.

Since the system was adopted by the Trust in July 2017, 1,275 operations have been carried out by the robot – of those 1,084 were urology (prostate, kidney and bladder procedure) and 191 were colorectal (rectum, anus and colon) surgeries.

The MIS tool has revolutionised the care provided to patients undergoing urology and colorectal surgical procedures as it is able to perform complex and incredibly precise procedures, in a way not possible with human hands, under the control of a highly-trained surgeon. As a result, the system has replaced large incision abdominal surgeries (open surgery) with small incisions meaning patients experience less pain, go home sooner and have less chance of needing follow-up surgery or experiencing a complication, such as a postoperative infection.

As Medway is the hub of the West Kent Urology Cancer Centre, it means that urology and colorectal cancer patients across the south east benefit from this innovative equipment.

Professor Matin Sheriff, MBBS (Lon), PhD (Hon), FRCS, FRCS (Urol), FEBU, Consultant Urological Surgeon, and the Trust’s Lead Robotic Surgeon, said: “The reasons I went into medicine many years ago was to make sure every life matters, and lives have been improved and saved thanks to robotic surgery being introduced to the Trust five years ago.

“The NHS is a true gift and we need to cherish it and develop it further. My hopes for the future are that the Trust will invest in another robot and the development of a Kent Pelvic Centre, so other patients, not just those with cancer, can benefit from the robotic surgery system too.”

Jayne Black, Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Robotic surgery is a ‘team sport’ and requires buy-in at all levels of an NHS Trust to work effectively. Our surgical and operational team fully embraced the technology and as a result has implemented a safe and effective programme which has seen patient outcomes improve and the programme develop year-on-year.

“I’m proud to say that the da Vinci robotic training pathway has recently been accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons as one of the safest and most effective robotic training pathways. The team here at Medway have completed this training pathway and are now helping to teach other NHS Trusts along with Intuitive.

“In addition, the Trust has also been recognised by NHS England for offering a gold standard of treatment to urology patients by using the robotic system – so there really is lots for us to be proud of here at Medway.”