A cancer patient whose world came crumbling down when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer last March has been given the all-clear after undergoing chemotherapy and robotic surgery at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI).
Deborah Speirs, who lives in the Tollcross area of Glasgow, has praised NHS staff and believes the robotic surgery saved her life.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde offers robotic surgery across multiple specialities including colorectal, urology, gynaecology and head and neck surgery, at both the GRI and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
READ MORE: Glasgow mum discovered newborn son had rare form of cancer while changing nappy
The robotic systems have four arms that hold a camera and the surgical tools. A surgeon controls the robotic system from the surgeon console, which is in the operating theatre.
The systems allow doctors to use tiny wristed instruments that move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The precision of the surgery can reduce the amount of time patients are required to stay in hospital post-surgery.
Following a consultation with Professor Campbell Roxburgh, a surgeon at the GRI, Deborah decided to opt for the innovative surgery over the conventional method.
She said: “When you are told you are diagnosed with cancer, it takes a while for this to really sink in as you never think it is going to happen to you.
“I had never heard about it this type of procedure before. An operation is a scary word in itself and I never thought anything about a robot being directed by a surgeon.
“I met with Prof Roxburgh and he explained everything in detail and I was happy to go ahead with it.
“The technology is amazing and I was up and walking around in a matter of days after my surgery. I wanted to start hoovering when I got home from hospital but my daughter made sure I rested up. It just shows you how great this is for recovery.
“In what was a very traumatic and difficult time for me and my family, I genuinely think that robotic surgery has saved my life.
"I cannot thank the staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde enough for all the help, care and treatment they provided for me."
Prof Roxburgh said: “Robotic surgery has already shown huge improvements in patient care and recovery times.
“It is not complete devolution of the surgery to a robot and the surgeon still has absolute control of everything that is going on. What we are adding, is that we are using a console that controls instruments and these go in through robotic ports.
“We have seen a halving in the length of time patients are required to stay in hospital in comparison to conventional key hole surgery as it is less invasive.
“In addition to this, it helps have reduce complications, imaging assessments, blood transfusions readmission rates and infections.
“Deborah is just one example of a number of successful surgeries using this type of equipment.”
Neil McCallum, director for NHSGGC’s North Sector, said: “This innovative technology allows us to reduce the amount of time a patient has to stay in hospital following their surgery.
“At a time when we are facing increased pressures, it is great to highlight the extraordinary work our teams are undertaking and this procedure will enable us to treat more patients more quickly, and with better outcomes.
“I would like to thank our teams who are continuously going over and above to provide the best possible treatment and care for our patients.”
READ NEXT:
Apprentice star Reece Donnelly's brother stabbed man to death outside Glasgow tower block
Spacious two bed flat in one of Glasgow’s most famous buildings hits the market
Anyone earning under £40,000 urged to check if they are missing out on benefit boost
The Glasgow restaurants loved by stars including Billy Connolly and James McAvoy
The Rig fans are all saying the same thing after Martin Compston drama launche
