A surgical team from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) was able to use a robot to remove a malignant tumor from a grandfather’s esophagus, giving him a second chance at life.
The use of a Versius next-generation robot by surgeons to successfully complete the procedure is a first for the UK.
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Martin Nugent’s esophagus had a 6 cm tumor that was successfully removed by upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons Simon Higgs and Steve Hornby.
After the tumor was removed, Nugent’s stomach was raised and connected to his esophagus involve his life. Following surgery in July, Nugent, a 61-year-old Cheltenham resident, and grandfather of two are now enjoying a second chance at life with his wife Jacqui, children, and grandchildren.
He expressed his gratitude for getting a second chance to visit his wife, children, and grandchildren. “My life was saved by the staff at the GRH, and I will always be grateful to them for that”
He continued, Last year, my agony prevented me from enjoying any of the Christmas suppers. I soon shed three stone in weight. I believe we’ll make up for it this year, and I’m truly grateful for the chance to celebrate Christmas again.
With the installation of the Versius robot last year, the GRH became the first NHS hospital in the nation to launch an upper GI program using CMR Surgical’s robot. A multi-specialty program that includes colorectal surgery has now established this.
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Versius Surgical Robotic System
“Versius has several benefits for the Trust and we are thrilled to be working with CMR Surgical on this program,” noted Hornby, an upper GI, and bariatric consultant.
Using the Versius Surgical Robotic System in Upper GI and colorectal surgery, “we have successfully completed over 100 cases throughout a range of procedures in the past year.”
The entire staff at GRH is extremely pleased with how the hospital has developed into a reference facility for upper GI surgeries in the UK using the Versius surgical robot.
Moreover, the treatment to save Nugent’s life involved elevating his stomach and reattaching it to his esophagus after the tumor was removed.
The thoracic step of an oesophagectomy was previously carried out at Gloucestershire Royal through open surgery. However, the Versius surgical robot made it possible to do procedures through a tiny incision, which enhances patient recovery.
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