Robot-Assisted Surgery Trial Begins at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Operating Human Hip and Knee

In Wales, robots will be utilized to perform hip and knee surgeries for the first time. The cutting-edge robots will undergo a trial that is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and carried out in collaboration with the Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The procedure is accomplished using a robotic arm that assists in preparing the bone and inserting components according to a predetermined three-dimensional plan. It is believed that utilizing the robot will result in more accurate and uniform surgical methods, potentially avoiding poor results and complications that necessitate additional surgery.

Operation: Robot Surgeon

The robotic trial will be conducted within the Hywel Dda University Health Board starting this month. The trial has been established in partnership between Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick, the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. The Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for managing healthcare services in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

According to Professor Peter Cnudde, a consultant orthopedic surgeon, robot-assisted surgery has been highly successful in many procedures and offers numerous advantages over traditional surgery. He expressed his excitement about the team being at the forefront of this world-leading multi-center study and getting the clinical trial underway. Professor Cnudde believes that incorporating robot-assisted surgery into the surgical services offered at Hywel Dda UHB will greatly benefit patients and he looks forward to leading this significant project.

To Professor Chris Hopkins, head of innovation and the Tritech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, the surgeons at Hywel Dda UHB are honored to be playing a key role in the clinical trial. He hopes that the program will result in better patient outcomes and alleviate the pressures within the healthcare system and the waiting list for planned care, as reported by The Nation View.

(Photo : Hywel Dda University Health Board)
Medical staff pictured with the robotic technology at Hywel Dda University Health Board

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Are Robot Surgeons Effective?

The research outcomes will provide a deeper understanding of the most efficient tools and technology for hip and knee replacement surgeries, thereby contributing to exceptional patient care for orthopedic surgeons not only in their health boards but also globally. The trial will not only document patient outcomes but will also undergo a comprehensive analysis to determine if robot-assisted technology should be widely adopted by the NHS.

According to Professor Leighton Phillips, director for research, innovation, and university partnerships at Hywel Dda University Health Board, the health board takes pride in empowering their staff to participate in research and development that addresses the needs of both current and future patients. The collaboration with the Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick, the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research are welcomed, and the team looks forward to shaping future orthopedic advancements through their results.

Although there is an ongoing debate about the cost-effectiveness of surgical robots, their usage is growing. Over the past two decades, Intuitive Surgical, the leading company in the field, has installed over 4,800 robots from its da Vinci range across the world, with 144 located in France. These robots have been used in over 6 million surgeries worldwide, with one million of those surgeries taking place just last year, indicating a significant increase in demand for their use, based on earlier reports.