Addenbrooke’s carries out the region’s first of its kind robot surgery
The hospital has carried out the region’s first robotic Whipple procedure
Last updated 5 hours ago
Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge has carried out the East of England’s first robotic 'Whipple procedure' - an abdominal surgery.
Two women with ampullary cancer, a rare cancer affecting the area where the bile duct meets the small intestine, underwent the operation.
They are Jia-Ling Ellis, 74, and from Norwich and Jane Gardner, 53, from Cambourne.
Both patients are now recovering and receiving preventative chemotherapy.
The procedure
The procedure, known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is used to treat cancers affecting the pancreas, bile duct and surrounding areas.
It involves removing part of the stomach, small bowel, pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder before reconnecting the digestive system.
Surgeons say each operation lasted around eight hours and took two surgeons to operate.
Its considered minimally invasive and therefore allows patients to make a fast recovery with a lower risk of complications.
Patients' response
Jia-Ling said "Once home, I was surprised that I didn’t need to take many painkillers. My recovery has been brilliant - I only have small incisions, half an inch in size. It’s been wonderful to get back to some gardening. I feel so grateful for how smoothly everything went."
Jane said "It all happened incredibly quickly. Ten days after being diagnosed with ampullary cancer, I woke up from surgery to be told I’d made history by being one of the first to have this major operation performed robotically! I was expecting to feel more discomfort once home, but I found I wasn’t needing pain relief and have enjoyed getting back to walking the dogs.
“When my sister came to visit two weeks after the operation, she couldn’t believe how fast my recovery had been. It still feels rather surreal and I’m so grateful to all of the teams involved. I’m feeling positive about the future. My focus is on spending time with my partner, three daughters and grandchildren and hopefully arranging our postponed holiday to Australia.”