Hospital offers robot surgery for cancer

CORK University Maternity Hospital has become the first facility in Europe to use sophisticated “robotic surgeons” for both cancer and non-cancer procedures.

The Da Vinci surgical system will be used for complex gynaecological procedures, performing them in a non-invasive manner.

Using the robots means patients suffer less pain and scarring, have a reduced risk of infection, reduced blood loss, fewer transfusions and quicker recovery time.

The medical equipment features a high-resolution 3D stereo viewer, and provides surgeons with an immersive experience.

Operating through small incisions, the surgeon uses the console’s master controls to manoeuvre robotic arms.

These arms hold instruments and a high-resolution camera. The jointed-wrist design is superior to the natural range of motion of the human hand. Tremor reduction reduces the risk for human error compared with traditional approaches.

Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) established its gynaecological robotic programme in 2008 and performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in Ireland and Britain in 2007.

Only three other centres in Europe perform such procedures, and CUMH is the first hospital in Europe in a position to offer the procedure in both benign and cancer cases, under the directorship of doctors Barry O’Reilly and Matt Hewitt.

CUMH professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, John Higgins,& said Cork’s success as a training centre for robotic surgery is down to the enthusiasm and drive of its clinicians.

“This is a great example of the benefits of the HSE and UCC working in real partnership to ensure that our combined facilities and expertise can match the best in the world,” he said.

Prof Higgins also extended his congratulations to Dr O’Reilly, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at CUMH, on the awarding of funding for the provision of the first international fellowship in robotic pelvic floor reconstructive surgery.

Dr Lorenzo Dutto, a consultant urologist from Rome, has been selected to undertake this one-year fellowship with Dr O’Reilly.