UK’s First Single-Incision Robotic Surgery Launched at HCA Healthcare

United Kingdom, Apr 21, 2024: A significant advancement in surgical technology has been introduced at HCA Healthcare UK, as London Bridge Hospital becomes the first in the nation to offer robotic-assisted procedures using the state-of-the-art da Vinci Single Port (SP) system.

Developed by Intuitive, this innovative system allows surgeons to carry out complex operations through a single incision smaller than 3cm, unlike traditional multi-port systems that require multiple entry points. By utilising one robotic arm equipped with all necessary instruments, the da Vinci SP enhances surgical precision while reducing physical trauma.

Consultant urological surgeons Mr Ben Challacombe, Professor Chris Eden, and Mr Declan Cahill are at the forefront of introducing this technology in the UK. The system will first be used to treat patients with urological issues, such as prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. While multi-port robotic surgery is already a standard approach for procedures like prostatectomies, the single-port system brings added advantages. It provides a viable surgical option for patients previously deemed unsuitable—such as those with significant scar tissue or who cannot tolerate multiple incisions.

In addition to benefits like quicker recovery, reduced pain, and improved mobility seen with existing robotic systems, the da Vinci SP offers the potential for even better post-operative outcomes, making it a groundbreaking step forward in minimally invasive surgery.

In the press release of HCA Healthcare UK, John Reay, CEO and President of HCA Healthcare UK said, “We are determined to ensure that our patients have access to choice. The ability to choose the hospitals that have the best consultants, the latest technology and the best clinical infrastructure to guide safe high-quality care. As part of this we are hugely proud to bring the da Vinci Single Port technology to the UK for the first time, adding to our robotic capability and the choice available to our patients and their surgeons.”

“As part of bringing this pioneering technology to the country, we hope in time to be able to share our expertise and experience of it with others, supporting its adoption more widely in the future," he added.

In the same press Release, Mr Declan Cahill, Consultant Urological Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA UK said, “It’s a huge privilege to be one of the first surgeons in the UK to be using the da Vinci SP system.”

He also stated, “While this is not suitable for all patients, it has the potential to be transformative for some. Single Port will enable us to provide the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery including faster recovery times and reduced trauma to the body, to those whom robotic-assisted surgery may not have previously been possible.”

London Bridge Hospital is the first in the UK to introduce the da Vinci Single Port system, enabling intricate surgeries through just one small entry point. This breakthrough enhances patient recovery and extends the benefits of minimally invasive robotic surgery to more individuals.