Dozens more patients a year are set to benefit from life-changing surgery in Bristol, after Southmead Hospital became the first site in the South West to own a dedicated gynaecological surgery robot.
Southmead’s Women and Children’s division is now home to a new state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which will be housed in the hospital's Gynaecology Department. The robot will be used to carry out a range of gynaecological procedures, including hysterectomies and excision of endometriosis.
North Bristol NHS Trust, which manages Southmead Hospital, is one of only four Trusts across the UK to have a dedicated gynaecology surgery robot. It is estimated the additional robot will allow surgeons to operate on an additional 144 gynaecology patients at Southmead per year.
Almost 9,000 robotic-assisted procedures have now been carried out at Southmead to date, across a range of different surgical specialties. In addition to the newly acquired gynaecology robot, the Trust has also invested in a second new robotic system to support the expansion of Colorectal and Urology robotic services. This has brought the total number of da Vinci robotic surgery systems at Southmead Hospital to four.
Jessica Preshaw, Consultant Gynaecological Surgeon at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “Having access to this groundbreaking technology will change the lives of hundreds of women, some of whom have lived with life-limiting pain and bleeding for years. Getting our own dedicated gynaecology robot is simply phenomenal news for both our service and our patients.”
Islam Gamaleldin, fellow Consultant Surgeon, explained: “In our experience, the enhanced 3D visualisation and precision offered by the wristed instruments means more complex operations can be completed using minimally invasive techniques with reduced blood loss, fewer complications, and faster recovery with shorter length of hospital stay compared to traditional open or laparoscopic procedures.”
The installation of the new robot is the latest step in an ongoing journey for Southmead’s Gynaecology Surgery team, which has completed almost 400 robotic cases since launching its service in 2022.
The team has completed three high intensity surgery weekends since November 2023, where two surgical teams operated robotically in two theatres simultaneously, showcasing the capacity that is possible with robotic surgical equipment.
Tim Whittlestone, Chief Medical Officer at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted that our Gynaecology team now has its own dedicated surgical robot, as I know this will make a tremendous difference to both our patients and staff.
“This investment will not only benefit patients but will also support the professional development of our gynaecology surgery team, enhancing Bristol's reputation for excellence in robotic-assisted surgery.”
North Bristol NHS Trust has worked closely with partners at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust to provide access to robotic surgery for patients across Bristol and the surrounding area. Robotic operating systems have recently been shared across the two Trusts to improve outcomes for patients, reduce waiting lists and share expertise and training amongst staff.
Notes to editors:
- The da Vinci Xi system provides highly magnified, 3D visualisation and precise, wristed instruments. These are designed with seven degrees of motion, even greater than a human wrist.