Robotic surgery provides 'top tier' joint care for local patients
Posted: 30 October 2024
Hundreds of patients across West Hertfordshire are set to benefit from a new robotic surgery programme at St Albans City Hospital, which will speed up recovery times and get people home faster after joint operations.
West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages St Albans City Hospital and covers a population of over 600,000, is the first trust to offer robotic-assisted joint replacement for patients in Hertfordshire and West Essex.
Patients would previously have to travel to London for the same treatment.
Surgeons can position knee or hip implants with greater accuracy with the help of the Smith & Nephew Cori robot which builds a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy in real time.
The orthopaedic surgical team hope the robot’s workload will expand to around 200 joint replacements a year at St Albans – a third of the total.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ravi Popat, who is leading the robotics programme at St Albans said: “Operating with robots can provide a much better outcome for patients including a speedier recovery and ultimately a shorter hospital stay. This is much better for the patient and helps to free up beds.
“We’re proud to be providing top tier care for patients who would normally need to travel to a London hospital to benefit from this kind of specialist technology.”
The patient’s recovery, in some cases, can then be monitored through the Trust’s award winning ‘virtual hospital’, which allows patients to be cared for from the comfort of their own home using specialist tech and the support of experts, who can track key health metrics remotely or in person.
The Trust is already widely seen as one of the most advanced in the UK for embracing technology, establishing itself as a leader in adopting robotic surgery, and providing international training on robotic joint replacements.
Earlier this year, West Herts invested in two more state-of-the-art robots – bringing the total to five, including the latest addition at St Albans.
Ben Spiegelberg, hip and knee lead consultant in the orthopaedic team at St Albans, said: “It’s very exciting for our theatre and surgical teams who have the chance to develop cutting-edge theatre skills and widen their career opportunities.”
The orthopaedics team also aim to use the robot in same day joint replacement operations. Same day care allows patients to recover at home instead of spending up to three days in hospital. This is possible through an enhanced recovery programme which encourages patients to stay as active as possible immediately before and after an operation.
“Robotic surgery is the way to go”
“It’s all about precision, isn’t it?” says Yvonne Rowson who was successfully discharged just six weeks after being the first patient at St Albans to have a hip replacement using the Cori robot. “I did some research when I was told my operation would be carried out this way and learned that precision is key. The robots can see everything.”
Eighty-one-year-old Yvonne had the Trust’s first full robotically assisted hip replacement at St Albans City Hospital on 2 September and was able to go home the next day. “I had no bruises or swelling. It was just wonderful. Eight days later I was able to walk unaided.”
Yvonne continued to improve steadily and quickly, walking without a limp and pain free. She was fully discharged on 16 October.
“I’m thrilled to bits. Robotic surgery is the way to go. My recovery has been phenomenal. My only regret is I would have liked to see the robot!”
Ends
- For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.net. Out of hours, please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals; Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 600,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,800 staff and volunteers.
- For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and LinkedIn
