The pancreatic unit at Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust (LUHFT) is using robotic surgery to improve the quality of care it provides to patients.
Surgeons at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital have received training on how to operate state-of-the-art machinery which allows them to perform major operations with greater precision.
Surgeons sit inside the Da Vinci Xi electronic console, placing their fingers into a glove like apparatus. This glove allows the surgeon to control the robot’s arms, which offer more movement than the human hands allow.
Jawad Ahmad, Consultant HBP Surgeon, from Coventry University Hospitals and lead UK trainer for pancreatic robotic surgery, said: “Robotic surgery reduces pain and recovery time for patients meaning they spend less time in hospital. This innovative way of operating will be hugely beneficial to the communities Liverpool University Hospitals cares for.”
There are now two robots in operation at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and three across Liverpool University Hospitals, the only Trust in the North West to have this number. Pancreatic surgeons join colleagues from urology, colorectal and upper GI in being able to perform this modern procedure at LUHFT.
Declan Dunne, Consultant Pancreatic Surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for our pancreatic unit and patients undergoing surgery in urology, colorectal and upper gastrointestinal tract.”
“The investment and introduction of this additional robot further cements our reputation as one of the leading pancreatic services internationally. It is great to work for an ambitious Trust which embraces new techniques and ways of working so its staff can stay at the top of their game and continue to give our patients the best care.
“For me personally, it would be a privilege to train colleagues in other hospitals on how to use the robot in the future. We will see an increase in robotic surgery in the UK and our team strives to be at the forefront of that.”