The latest robotics now available at the Royal Victoria Infirmary will help neurosurgeons carry out increasingly delicate operations on the brain.
Over the last few months, Newcastle’s surgeons have been assessing the ability and accuracy of the latest technology available and have become the first in the country to instal a new specialist robot into operating theatres.
Patients who need surgery to tackle symptoms of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy, will be offered a robot-assisted procedure if their surgeon assesses it’s suitable and appropriate.
Surgery like this requires movements to a percentage of a millimetre and the accuracy of the technology, combined with the experience of the surgeon, allows for a level of precision beyond human limitations.
The new device – which consists of an advanced robotic arm and screen-based interface using 3D imaging – means increasingly complex surgery can be considered and undertaken with maximum safety and precision.
Akbar Hussain, functional neurosurgeon at Newcastle Hospitals, says installation of the new robot is great news for patients and surgical teams in Newcastle:
“The development of robotics in neurosurgery is happening at great pace and we’re passionate about staying at the forefront of this – to enhance what we can to do for patients and to give teams access to the best technology.
“Our track record of testing and adopting new robotics puts us in a strong position to be the first UK hospital to launch this advanced system.
“We’re already using technologies like virtual reality to undertake advanced surgical planning, robotics in spinal surgery, plus other tools for some brain surgery.
“I’m excited that our work has led to the recent designation of Newcastle Hospitals as the NHS National Centre for Neurotechnology and Neurorestoration, putting us in a position to pioneer even more cutting-edge approaches in the region.”
