10,000 and counting: Hospital’s robotic-assisted surgery milestone | News

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has performed its landmark 10,000th robotic assisted surgical procedure.

The Trust first introduced robotic-assisted surgery in 2009 with the installation of its first da Vinci surgical system. 

From humble beginnings, with just a handful of robotic-assisted surgeries completed in the first year, the programme has grown into one of the busiest and most advanced in the country. 

Now home to four state-of-the-art surgical robotic-assisted da Vinci systems, more than 30 surgeons use the technology across a wide range of specialities, including urology, gynaecology, colorectal, hepatobiliary, oesophagogastric and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery. 

In 2024 alone, more than 1,500 patients benefitted from robotic-assisted surgery, with the Trust performing more prostate surgeries than any other single-site hospital in the UK.

Louise Stead, Group Chief Executive of Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, said: “This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering world-class care and ensuring our community has access to the most advanced treatment.

“However, it is so much more than just a number, it represents thousands of patients who have benefitted from faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, better outcomes and less complications.

“Some patients now go home the next day instead of spending a week in hospital, which frees up around 10 beds daily and means we can treat even more people.”

The surgical system does not replace surgeons but instead enhances their ability to carry out intricate operations via very tiny incisions, with greater accuracy and precision.

The surgeon operates the surgical system from a control console, performing the procedure using a minimally invasive approach. 

Alistair Hutchinson, 49, underwent robotic-assisted surgery as the Trust reached the historic milestone.

The father-of-two from Warlingham, Surrey, was diagnosed with tonsil cancer that had spread to his surrounding lymph-nodes after discovering a lump in his neck at the end of the summer.

Initially, he feared that treatment might impact his ability to eat, speak and cause lasting physical discomfort, before discovering robotic-assisted surgery was an option.

“The traditional treatment for tonsil cancer is radiotherapy, but because the throat is such a sensitive area, I was deeply concerned about the potential long-term side effects,” said the project manager.

“My children are only seven and five, and I was worried about how the treatment might affect not just me, but them too. Then I found out robotic-assisted surgery was an option.

“It truly changed everything. I was able to receive the treatment I needed to remove the cancer - without facing the harsh side effects I had feared.”

Radiotherapy treatment for this type of cancer can cause a number of side effects including difficulties swallowing, chewing and talking, as well as teeth issues.

Royal Surrey was one of the first trusts nationally to introduce ear, nose and throat surgery, of the type that Alistair had, to its robotics programme, with around 160 cases performed to date.

The Trust’s robotics journey began when three gynaecology surgeons travelled to Texas for specialist training.

Following a successful £1.37m fundraising campaign, they performed Royal Surrey’s first robotic-assisted hysterectomy on 12 November 2009.

Over the past 16 years, the gynaecology team has treated more than 2,700 patients using da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical systems. In 2016, the team’s work saw Royal Surrey named an Epicentre of Robotic Surgery, recognising excellence in surgical practice and training.

The programme's success paved the way for other departments to adopt robotic-assisted surgery and the Trust now performs robotic-assisted surgery across seven different specialties. 

Royal Surrey’s Joint Chief of Surgery, Tim Pencavel said: “We have built a reputation as one of the foremost centres for robotic-assisted surgery anywhere in the world.

“Our surgeons are pioneering new techniques that are transforming care and we’re proud to welcome colleagues from around the globe to train with our team here in Guildford.”

Fellow Joint Chief of Surgery, Geeta Aggarwal added: “The opening of our new Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre next year will enable even more patients to benefit from this world-leading technology and the expertise of our outstanding surgical teams.”