Glasgow children's hospital becomes first in world with surgical robots dedicated to children
The Royal Hospital for Children is using the Versius Plus system to make keyhole surgery possible for more young patients, including babies as young as six weeks old. More than 30 operations have been carried out so far.
The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, which has introduced robots dedicated exclusively to operating on children. · Photograph: Richard Sutcliffe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Scotland's largest children's hospital has become the first in the world to introduce surgical robots dedicated exclusively to the care of children.
The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow is using the Versius Plus system, which is designed to make minimally invasive keyhole surgery more accessible and reduce the need for open operations for some patients – including babies as young as six weeks old.
More than 30 operations have been carried out so far.
What the robots will do
The technology will support a range of procedures, including cancer, thoracic, abdominal, gastrointestinal and urological surgery.
Keyhole surgery, or laparoscopy, involves operating inside the body through tiny incisions instead of one large wound. The robotic system can carry out complex keyhole operations, often removing the need for more invasive surgery – meaning less pain, smaller scars and quicker recovery.
"The biggest benefit"
Michael Jacovides, consultant paediatric surgeon and clinical lead for the robotic surgery programme, told STV News: "The biggest benefit is being able to offer the advantages of keyhole surgery to more children than if we had not had the robot."
He said some of the children would otherwise have needed open surgery, which usually means a greater need for pain relief and longer stays in hospital. "And we have seen improvement in all those with the use of the robot," he said.
Training on a simulator
Surgeons have been practising on a simulator – a dome with holes – before operating on patients.
Paediatric urologist Martin Flett demonstrated how it works, threading instruments through a template. "It allows us to learn how to use these instruments in a controlled fashion that's not going to hurt anybody," he said, adding that the system uses a 3D screen and can take some time to get used to.
A boost for families
The Royal Hospital for Children, on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus in Govan, treats children from across Scotland, including many with complex conditions who are referred from other health boards.
For families, the robotic programme means more children can benefit from smaller operations and get home sooner.