Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) FT has become the first in Europe to use the Versius Surgical Robotic System for major gynaecological surgery, including complex cancer cases.
Since its introduction at MKUH in 2019, the robot has performed over 100 complex surgeries across colorectal, gynaecological, and general surgery.
The system now allows greater access to keyhole surgery for women needing gynaecological procedures such as hysterectomies.
The use of Versius at MKUH is particularly important at present as it has allowed major and complex gynae procedures to continue at the hospital throughout the second lockdown. Surgical robots can enable a much wider uptake of keyhole surgery, with faster recovery times, less time in the hospital and reduced risk of infection.
Nidhi Singh, Consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at MKUH, said: “Versius represents a massive step forward in making minimal access surgery accessible to many more patients.
“A hysterectomy is a major and complex surgical procedure. When performed openly, it traditionally requires around five days’ stay in hospital and many weeks to fully recover. We aim to change this for the hundreds of women who undergo these types of surgeries at our hospital every year.”
As one of 18 hospitals named as a ‘fast follower’ of NHS England’s Global Digital Exemplars programme, MKUH has been a digital pioneer and leader in embracing new technologies.
