Dewsbury hospital patients are benefitting from new surgical robot | News

A brand-new state of the art surgical robot has been installed at Dewsbury District Hospital which will help patients, including those having cancer surgery, recover quicker from operations, experience fewer complications and less pain.

The da Vinci Xi surgical robot was installed in April. It is a modern surgical system that helps surgeons carry out operations using very small cuts instead of large incisions.

Mr Mo Dooldeniya, Consultant Urological Surgeon and Associate Medical Director – Workforce, said: “This new robot is a major step forward for the care we can offer locally. For patients, it means smaller incisions, less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery, helping them get back to normal life sooner. 

“For surgeons, the enhanced 3D vision and precision give us greater control and flexibility during procedures, which supports safer, more efficient surgery. Ultimately, this technology helps us deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Simon Kent, 83, from Batley (pictured) was one of the first patients to be operated on using the new robot. He had part of his bowel removed because it was cancerous and is now recovering well at home. 

He said: “My robotic surgery went fine, and the staff who cared for me were magnificent, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

He added: “They were first class, not just my surgeon Mr Fawole and the nurses, but everyone including the dietician, the cleaners - everyone involved worked like a well-oiled machine. Mr Fawole was very attentive and either came to see me or sent somebody to see me every day that I was in hospital.”

Mr Fawole, Consultant General and Gastrointestinal Surgeon, said the new robot allows surgeons to provide better care for patients including in his specialty which is gastroenterology. “It allows us to carry out complex bowel cancer surgery involving more than one area of the bowel. That includes procedures such as extended right hemicolectomies and subtotal colectomies. 

“It also enables us to operate on patients who have bowel cancer on both the right and left sides at the same time. In addition, it is very valuable for patients with inflammatory bowel disease who need their whole colon removed and a pouch formed.”

The da Vinci Xi surgical robot gives surgeons a clear, high‑quality 3D view and very fine control of the instruments, using robotic arms that closely follow their movements.

It is easier and quicker for surgeons to operate compared to the previous model it replaces, having slimmer arms, and the improved design lets surgeons move more smoothly and reach different areas of the body without repositioning the robot. 

This surgical robot also gives a clearer picture and more precise control, helping operations run more safely and efficiently, with benefits for patient recovery.