New robotic surgery system in pipeline for NHS

The new Versius robot, a rival to the American da Vinci system, which is currently used in over 70 UK hospitals, is expected to start operating on patients from next year.

The new system is smaller and it is believed will be more versatile and flexible than currently used robots, which will allow it to perform a wider range of surgical procedures.

Robotic systems use a laparoscopic procedure, using special instruments via small incisions. This method leads to less pain and faster recovery for patients when compared with conventional surgery. The robotic system also allows increased dexterity and a better magnified view.

Mark Slack, co-founder of CMR Surgical, the company behind the new system, said “It takes around 80 hours to teach suturing with manual laparoscopic tools and some surgeons find it impossible to master.

“By contrast, it takes half an hour to teach Versius – this will enable many more surgeons to deliver the benefits of keyhole surgery.”

Dr Hachach-Haram, of the Royal College of Surgeons’ Commission on the Future of Surgery, said that it was possible that robots may in the future undertake some elements of surgery independently.

“Surgeons will remain in control but as we develop the human-robot interface there may be simple parts of an operation, such as suturing or closing a wound that may be automated.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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