74-year-old Kent man among first to have robotic surgery at Ashford Hospital
Retired engineer John Tebbs believes it has made his recovery "faster"
A retired engineer from Kent has become one of the first patients to receive robotic surgery at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
John Tebbs, aged 74, underwent surgery on 4th February using the new Medtronic HUGO robot, which aims to improve post-operative recovery with faster discharge times and less pain.
Mr Tebbs, diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells in the colon last year, had part of his bowel removed in a procedure led by consultant colorectal and general surgeon Mr Ashish Shrestha.
"I have always had an interest in engineering skills and design, so when Mr Shrestha mentioned that they had this new robot and asked if I would be his first patient, I jumped at the chance," Tebbs said.
The use of the robotic platform allowed Tebbs to return home within two days, markedly faster than traditional surgery methods.
"I was able to go home after two days. There was a chap on the ward who had the same procedure the old-fashioned way, and he had to stay for six days, so I think I definitely had a faster recovery," Mr Tebbs said.
A New Era in Surgical Technology
The Medtronic HUGO robot introduces an innovative approach in minimally invasive surgery, reducing surgical tremors for greater precision.
According to Tebbs, the robotic tools provide improved dexterity and maneuverability inside the body, offering a more delicate balance during operations compared to laparoscopic surgery.
Mr Shrestha expressed optimism about the technology's future, saying “This technology offers faster recovery, less pain and access to the most advanced techniques."
Patients Support Robotic Surgery Advances
Paul Scrivens, another bowel cancer patient, and his wife funded £2,000 for theatre equipment to support the surgical team.
"Although I wasn’t able to have robotic surgery, it’s fantastic that more patients in the future will be able to benefit from this, so we wanted to do our little bit to contribute," Scrivens commented.
Senior surgical care practitioner Larissa Williams highlighted the advantages of the robotic platform, stating it allows for smoother dissections, less tissue trauma, and greater accuracy.
Mrs Williams added that the NHS National Cancer Plan aims to expand robotic cancer surgery from 70,000 procedures to 500,000 by 2035.