Robot-assisted kidney surgery performed for the first time on UK child
The device has been trialled on adults for three years and demonstrated faster recovery times, less postoperative pain, and less time in the hospital.
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00:00The robotic-assisted bit is still the same idea, a little cut in the tummy, a straight
00:14shaft of an instrument, but the instrument on the inside, instead of a straight jaw,
00:18has a full-wristed motion to it. And then on the outside, instead of a straight handle,
00:22you've got something that looks more like a joystick. So it's still fully search and
00:26controlled. Robotic-assisted might sound like it's automated in some way, but actually
00:31it's still search and controlled.
00:42When I first heard there's going to be a robot operating on it, I was like, eh? But then
00:49obviously when you find out more that it's a doctor operating the robot and everything
00:54like that, it's just, yeah, it's a lot more understandable.
00:57It's just showing how advanced technology has come and how intricate they can get into
01:02places that aren't easy to in a normal operation.
01:15Ultimately, my hope is that there can be more minimally invasive procedures for children,
01:22as you say, not just in the UK, but potentially around the world. The robotic-assisted technology
01:28should make it more straightforward to do these minimally invasive procedures, where
01:34sometimes open procedures would currently be carried out.