Royal Stoke's robot record-breaker!

A ROYAL Stoke surgical team has carried out a record six robotic gallbladder removals in one day.

- Gary Porter

The team, led by Richard Laing, consultant surgeon specialising in pancreatic cancer and complex gallbladder conditions, completed the record as part of a high intensity theatre (HIT) schedule to help reduce surgical waiting lists.

The procedures, known as a cholecystectomy, were made possible thanks to state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery.

As well as speeding up the time required to carry out an operation, the Intuitive da Vinci surgical system reduces post-operative complications and reduces recovery time.

Mr Laing said: "UHNM's upper gastrointestinal surgery team has been utilising the Da Vinci robotic system since August.