n 2007, The Royal Marsden became the first NHS hospital in the country to introduce the da Vinci S surgical system – a robot that has revolutionised prostate cancer treatment by making it possible for surgeons to make microscopic incisions with greater accuracy and control than ever before.
This minimally invasive approach uses the latest in computer and robotic technologies. It is ideal for delicate urologic surgery including prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland to treat cancer).
In 2011, Mr Chris Ogden, a Consultant Surgeon at The Royal Marsden, was presented with the Intuitive Surgical UK Innovation Award after reaching the major milestone of 1,000 procedures. He is the first surgeon in the UK and only the fourth in Europe to achieve this. He is also the first surgeon in the UK to peer present his outcomes at the British Urological Association Annual Meeting and he won the prize for best paper in the robotic session of the America Urological Association Annual Conference in 2010.
How does the robot work?
This state-of-the-art robot uses the latest advances in technology to cut and manipulate tissue in the same way as a surgeon would when carrying out open surgery. But unlike the surgeon, the robot does this through a tiny hole. This can reduce the pain and blood loss caused by open surgery and minimise the patient’s hospital stay and recovery time.
The Royal Marsden’s surgical team is also able to use da Vinci's extended vision, higher magnification and 3D imagery, enabling even greater precision in their work.
Is it better than traditional open surgery?
By using da Vinci S surgical system we have dramatically improved functional and oncological outcomes for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy at The Royal Marsden.
