Celebrating a milestone in robotic surgery
Staff, patients, and partners came together on Monday 7 July to celebrate a year of achievements in robotic surgery during a successful surgical robotics open day at Whipps Cross Hospital.
The afternoon event offered a comprehensive summary on the progress and impact of the robotic development programme – an initiative aimed at improving patient outcomes and equity of access to robotic minimally invasive surgery across northeast London.
A year of progress
The implementation of the robotic surgery programme at Whipps Cross has already exceeded expectations. With over 200 procedures completed, surpassing the first-year milestone. The team also delivered on faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and increased patient satisfaction.
Hysterectomy patients, for example, now typically stay just one day post-surgery, compared to the previous average of 2.5 to 3 days. Similarly, colorectal surgery recovery times have improved significantly. Despite treating more complex cases, complication rates have remained stable or decreased.
A patient who underwent a hysterctomy said: "It’s hard to put into words just how wonderful it feels to be free of the almost constant chronic pain... It was hard to believe that I could have such a big operation, be home the next day and be back working and doing all my usual activities and getting my quality of life back within 3-4 weeks. I can’t thank the team involved in my robot assisted hysterectomy surgery enough."
One of the highlights of the day was the focus on the patient experience which has shown overwhelmingly positive feedback. Patients reported experiencing less pain, quicker recoveries, and greater satisfaction with the care they received.
“Our patients have not only benefited from cutting-edge technology, but they’ve also helped us shape the service through their feedback,” said Mr Jimi Odejinmi, consultant gynaecologist and chair of robotic surgery group. “Their voices continue to guide our commitment to equitable and informed care.”
Looking ahead
The open day was not only a celebration of the programme’s remarkable first-year achievements but also a launchpad for future ambition. With projections indicating that by 2035, up to 90% of minimally invasive surgeries will be robot-assisted, we are committed to ensuring Whipps Cross remains at the forefront, fully equipped, skilled, and ready to meet the evolving demands of surgical innovation. Additionally, there are ambitions to offer enhance surgical training and documentation.
“The success of the robotic surgery programme at Whipps Cross is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our multi-disciplinary teams,” said Mr Ash Rohatgi, consultant in upper gastrointestinal surgery. “It’s incredibly exciting to see what we’ve accomplished in just one year and even more exciting to think about what’s next.”
Surgeon Ms Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib discussed the advantages from a surgeon’s perspective: “Robotic surgery is fantastic. The clarity of vision, wristed precision, and improved ergonomics make surgery smoother and less tiring, and the outcomes for patients speak for themselves: less blood loss, quicker recovery, and small scars.”
With seven surgeons now trained, and increasing opportunities for complex, collaborative procedures, the programme continues to build momentum. The day concluded with an open Q&A session, leaving attendees inspired by the hospital’s commitment to innovation and high-quality patient care.