Operated by a surgeon, a camera inserted inside the patient and robotic arms are controlled from a console using an advanced set of instruments for a minimally invasive surgery. This procedure allows for greater precision than traditional laparoscopic (also known as ‘keyhole’) or open surgery.

Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery is able to make use new equipment to make much smaller cuts and special instruments controlled by professionals to carry out a number of different operations.

These techniques offer some key advantages over conventional surgery and have proved to be less invasive with less blood loss and pain for patients. They are also more consistent and lower risk for a range of hospital procedures.

Potential benefits of Robotic Surgery

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Reduced blood loss and need for blood transfusion
• Faster recover and return to normal activities

The da Vinci Surgical System

Different surgical systems are available on the market around the world and may present different architecture
resulting in various features. The da Vinci surgical system consists of three components:

Surgeon console: Is the control centre where your surgeon sits to perform the operation

Patient cart: Holds the camera and surgical instruments your surgeon controls from the console

Vision cart: Manages communication between all the system components and provides a screen for the care team to view the operation.

Care team: There will be several people in the operating room during a robotic-assisted procedure. Each person is part of your care team and plays an important role in your surgery.

Who will benefit?

We will be offering this surgery for colorectal patients.

Colorectal surgery is the field of medicine that deals with repairing damage caused by colorectal diseases. Surgery can be necessary due to a variety of health problems along the gastrointestinal tract, in your rectum, anus and colon.

When will this service be available?

The Trust anticipates that this service will be in place by mid-to-late 2024, at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Your questions

Does the surgical system perform surgery?

No. Your surgeon performs surgery. The da Vinci surgical system translates every hand movement your surgeon makes in real time to bend and rotate the instruments with precision.

Why should I choose robotic-assisted surgery?

People choose robotic-assisted surgery for a variety of reasons. Your doctor may have recommended this surgical approach for you to enable more complex procedures to be performed using key-hole surgery, to perform the surgery more accurately or more safely.

How do surgeons train on robotic-assisted surgery?

A comprehensive training and accreditation process is used to ensure surgeons operating using the da Vinci surgical system are fully trained.

How can I get robotic-assisted surgery?

If your doctor recommends robotic-assisted surgery for your condition, he or she can let you know your next steps.

How can you prepare for surgery?

One way to learn more about your surgery is to ask your doctor and care team questions.

1. What medical and surgical options are available for me?
2. Which is best for my situation?
3. What are the differences between open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgery?
4. If you suggest I have surgery, how should I prepare for it?
5. What am I likely to experience after surgery?
6. What is the risk of complication from this surgery?

More information

• Robotic surgery information leaflet

*The standalone cost of the robot is £2m. The charity is funding the robot, training and all the service requirements of the robot for the seven year contract.

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