OVER 500 patients in Fife have now been treated using pioneering robotic-assisted surgery. 

Funded by the Scottish Government at a cost of around £2,200,000, the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy was the first District General Hospital in Scotland to adopt robotic-assisted surgery (RAS).

The technology was introduced in August 2021 and is currently used in colorectal, gynaecological and urological surgery.

In an important milestone for NHS Fife, the 500th robotic procedure was recently carried out by the team at the Victoria Hospital. 

Satheesh Yalamarthi, consultant surgeon and clinical director, who oversees the robotic-assisted surgery programme in Fife, said: “The use of robotic-assisted surgery across the UK is increasing and we have embraced this new technology due to the proven benefits it offers for patients.

“The Da Vinci system allows surgeons to work with even more precision than other conventional types of surgery.

"This is hugely important as it means that surgery can be done more safely. It enables a smoother recovery, with less pain or discomfort, lowers the risk of developing complications after surgery and hence a shorter stay in the hospital.

"In Fife, we have focussed on this development over the last few years and have been able to offer this new technology safely to an increasing number of patients”.

The DaVinci robotic system used in Fife is used by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, who operate the console device from within the theatre itself. A total of eight consultant surgeons across a range of specialities are now trained in the robotic system.

Since its introduction, RAS has been improving outcomes for an increasing number of patients in Fife.

In addition to reducing post-operative pain, the technology is more precise which allows procedures to be carried out with more ease, especially during difficult aspects of the operations.

It is helping to shorten the average length of hospital stay, speeding up recovery for the patients, whilst reducing the chances of readmission.

Since the programme began in Fife in 2021, the number of RAS procedures carried out has steadily increased, with the average number of procedures carried out each month almost doubling over the course of the two years.

Director of Acute Services, Claire Dobson, said: “NHS Fife has a highly innovative and forward-thinking theatre team, with a proven track record of safely introducing new and pioneering surgical techniques. This has helped us to embed this new approach quickly and steadily increase the number of RAS procedures we can carry out.  

“In addition to helping improve patient outcomes, developing our RAS programme helps make our service more attractive as we seek to recruit and retain experienced clinical staff, as well as future generations of surgeons, to posts here in Fife.”  

The ability to carry out RAS locally has enabled NHS Fife to carry out prostate cancer surgery in Kirkcaldy, where previously patients had to travel to Lothian for such procedures.  

Board medical director, Dr Christopher McKenna, added: “There are considerable clinical benefits for patients of using robotic-assisted surgery due to the increased precision it allows our surgeons to work with.

"As it is less invasive than other surgical techniques, it also allows patients to recover much more quickly and with less discomfort.

“Our surgical teams have really embraced this technology and are continually working to maximise the benefits it offers to the population we serve.

"This has allowed us to steadily increase the number of patients in Fife receiving robotic-assisted surgery, and is enabling those requiring procedures for prostate cancer to receive this right here in Fife.”