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Clinicians and staff from Tygerberg and Groote Schuur Hospitals celebrated the success of the da Vinci robotic surgery programmes and their impact on services as it was revealed the programme had performed more than 600 successful surgeries since 2022.

These two machines were purchased at a combined cost of R80 million in 2021 and have been a game-changer for hospitals.

After the initial rollout of colorectal surgery in February and March 2022, the machines were then expanded to urology and gynaecology. The theatre staff have been trained or upskilled by da Vinci-accredited personnel. This has led to even greater skill transfers for staff members.

Since the da Vinci machines are used for advanced diseases that are difficult to remove without a large incision and extended theatre hours, they have had an immense impact on patients and the health system.

For example, a traditional open cystectomy patient would require three days of ICU stay as well as two weeks of hospital stay to recuperate. During this time, on average, 42% of patients require blood transfusions and almost 20% need total parenteral nutrition (TPNs) – when a patient is fed intravenously.

However, a patient undergoing robotic surgery for a cystectomy requires no ICU stay and goes straight to a general ward or post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) for no more than six days on average. In addition, no blood transfusions or TPNs are needed, which saves the health system even more resources.

Leon Koks from Athlone was the first patient in the Groote Schuur Hospital programme.

“I had mixed feelings when I was approached to be one of the first patients to receive ‘Robotic Rectal Cancer’ surgery. But soon, I had a feeling of calmness as I was constantly being updated as to the procedure that was to take place.

“The recovery period both impressed and amazed me. The very next day after surgery, I was asked if I was prepared to get up and take a few steps. Of course, I eagerly agreed to attempt it. I didn’t experience any pain except for a slight tenderness of the wounds, which healed very quickly. Two weeks later, I started my running programme again.”

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Professor Nomafrench Mbombo, joined clinicians and staff from Tygerberg and Groote Schuur Hospitals on Friday for an update on the programme.

“Here in the Western Cape we have brought first world solutions to a public healthcare system that is often considered third world. I am deeply impressed with the progress of robotic surgeries at these two hospitals and the impact it has had on our surgical outcomes. These machines form part of our efforts to strengthen the healthcare system as a whole and are crucial to the Western Cape’s ability to keep abreast with advancements in healthcare technology. I look forward to the further innovations that stem from the successes from this programme.”

The next phase of the programme will focus on research in the South African context, with a specific focus on patient outcomes, quality of life after robotic surgery and sustainability.

[source:cbn]