Surgeons perform UK’s first robotic open heart surgery
Surgeons at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton have successfully carried out two robotic heart
operations this week. This is the first time robotically-assisted open heart surgery has been performed
the UK.
Mother-of-one Natalie Jones, 25, from Stourbridge, underwent repair of a hole in the heart on
Tuesday October 16.
She said: “I’m really happy they were able to give me this operation at my local hospital. They have
done me proud.
“If I had a traditional operation I would be looking at a long, uncomfortable recovery... especially with
a 21-month-old son.
“Now I can’t wait to give Dylan a big hug and I’m looking forward to getting back to normal as soon
as possible.
“I was a bit worried before the operation but now I’m really glad I had this opportunity.”
A day later, Paul Whitehouse, a 43 year-old father-of-two from Halesowen had heart valve repair
using the £1million Da Vinci robot.
New Cross Hospital is only the third centre in Europe to perform these robotic procedures, joining
hospitals in Finland and Sweden.
With this system, two consultants carry out the operation together, with parts of the procedure being
done by one surgeon controlling the robotic instruments via a control panel, and parts by the other
surgeon who is at the patient's side.
Heart operations are usually performed through a large incision which requires the breast bone to be
divided.
The robotic system gives surgeons a high-definition, magnified, 3D view of the heart using a
miniature camera. Instruments are inserted into the chest through tiny incisions between the ribs and
moved within the chest via an external control console.
This ground-breaking system has many benefits for patients, including:
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Smaller incisions with minimal scarring.
Less trauma to the patient, including less pain.
Shorter stay in hospital (usually three to four days).
Reduced use of painkillers.
Reduced bleeding.
Decreased risk of infection
Shorter recovery time and speedier return to daily and professional activities.
Consultant Cardiac Surgeons Moninder Bhabra and Stephen Billing, who performed the two
operations together, said: “The hospital has invested not only in the technology to perform these
procedures, but also in the special training for all staff involved.
“We are very proud to have performed the UK’s first open heart surgery using the da Vinci robot, and
are delighted that we are able to offer significant benefits to patients.
“Repair of leaking mitral valves is particularly conducive to a robotic approach. The Heart and Lung
Centre at New Cross Hospital has extensive experience of mitral valve repair and had the second
highest repair rates in the UK for several years, as well as some of the best survival rates for all
cardiac surgery.
“Less invasive procedures are also available here for patients requiring aortic valve replacement and
coronary bypass graft surgery.”
New Cross Hospital acquired the Da Vinci robot 18 months ago, and it has already been used for
operations in the abdomen and pelvis.
Over the last 6 months a cardiac team including surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses has undergone
extensive training in using it for heart operations.
For further information please contact Moninder Bhabra or Stephen Billing
Tel.01902 307999