Dartford and Gravesham performs its first robot-assisted hysterectomy

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has carried out the first robotic-assisted hysterectomy in Kent and Medway at Darent Valley Hospital, using the da Vinci system.

“This is a significant milestone for the trust as it solidifies our position as a leading healthcare institution in the region, setting new standards in women’s healthcare,” Dartford and Gravesham said in a press release.

The da Vinci robotic assisted surgery (RAS) system from Intuitive, which was delivered to Darent Valley Hospital at the trust at the end of March 2024, offers surgeons a highly magnified 3D view of the surgical area.

Surgeons control the RAS system from a console, with their hand movements translated in real time to manipulate instruments during the surgery.

The surgical instruments can mimic the dexterity of a human hand but with greater flexibility, helping to enhance patient outcomes, improve the surgical experience for both patients and healthcare teams and reduce overall treatment costs.

Mr Abhishek Gupta, divisional medical director for Dartford and Gravesham surgery, critical care and planned care division, said: “Our dedication to excellence in robotic-assisted gynaecology surgery showcases our commitment to patient-centred care and ensures that our community benefits from the latest advancements in medical technology.

“We are proud to offer comprehensive care from initial consultation through to post-operative care. Our multi-disciplinary approach ensures that each patients receives personalised treatment tailored to their specific needs.”

The team of surgeons at Darent Valley Hospital have undertaken training on the da Vinci system with the aim of delivering the highest level of patient care and optimal outcomes.

Alexandra Bode-Tunji, chief strategy and transformation officer at Dartford and Gravesham, said: “This project has been a long time in the making, dating back to 2018 when the surgical team began looking into robotic-assisted surgery here at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

“Progress was paused due to Covid-19 and the project resumed in October 2023, when a dedicated project team was formed, consisting of key teams from across the trust.”

Dartford and Gravesham said that more than 12 million surgeries have been carried out globally using da Vinci systems.

In May this year, Digital Health News reported on West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust adding two da Vinci machines, to its existing fleet of two CMR Surgical Versius robots.