Surgical Robotics Technology
CMR Surgical Ltd has today announced that Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, has selected its next-generation Versius surgical robotic system. Versius becomes the first ever surgical robot to be used to perform minimal access surgery (otherwise known as MAS or keyhole surgery) at Manchester Royal Infirmary and will initially be used to perform colorectal cancer surgery.
Mr Nicholas A. Stylianides, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary: “The introduction of Versius at Manchester Royal Infirmary is an exciting step forward and one that will help our team continue to deliver world-leading surgical training and care. Today, more than ever, it is vital that we are able to minimise complications from surgery and help patients recover quickly – keeping them well and out of hospital. Using robotic minimal access surgery more frequently will play an important role in this and Versius will therefore be a critical tool for our surgical teams moving forward.”
Versius is portable, modular, and designed to be easily moved between operating theatres. Once in an operating theatre, it takes an average of 15 minutes to set up the system.i This allows it to be used frequently, with one Versius robot capable of performing hundreds of operations each year.
Mark Slack, Chief Medical Officer at CMR Surgical said: “A main goal when we designed Versius was that we wanted to significantly widen access to minimal access surgery – allowing far more patients to benefit than currently do. The introduction of Versius at Manchester Royal Infirmary is a key part of that journey and we are therefore delighted by today’s news. The fact that this leading teaching hospital has never had a surgical robot highlights the need for a new approach to surgical robotics and reinforces the value of the defining features of Versius – its portability, versatility and its cost-effectiveness. These are attributes that we believe will open the door to more minimal access surgery across the world improving outcomes for patients, surgeons and hospitals.”
Colorectal surgery is commonly used to resect (remove) part of the bowel for people with inflammatory bowel disease or to remove tumour cells from patients with colorectal cancer. The procedures are often complex and may last for many hours. Using robotic keyhole surgery enables surgeons to bring the benefits of keyhole surgery to the patient which includes the potential for faster recovery time, as well as making the procedure less strenuous on the surgeon. At Manchester Royal Infirmary, it is estimated that this could equate to hundreds of bed days freed up each year.
In February 2020, Versius was launched in the UK at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust. Further global launches are expected to be announced shortly.
