Ross Lydall, Health Editor
A cancer patient who had her kidney removed by robot agreed to have the operation broadcast live on the internet because she believed it would keep her surgeon on his toes.
Denise Parker, 54, underwent the two-hour procedure at Guy’s Hospital as part of a 24-hour global online seminar showcasing the benefits of the latest robotic surgery.
Guy’s performs about 400 robotic operations a year on cancer patients — the most in the UK — and the mass online event was watched by thousands.
Ms Parker, a telephonist from Basildon, had a tumour discovered by chance in her left kidney when she fell ill with gallstones while on holiday in Malta in September.
Last week’s operation was performed by consultant urological surgeon Ben Challacombe using Guy’s new £2 million da Vinci Xi robot. He operated the robot from a console at the side of the theatre, with his hands controlling instruments inside the patient via “keyhole” incisions.
“I knew that as long as he didn’t get stage fright, he would perform 110 per cent with the world watching what he was doing,” she said. “I put my life in his hands and I’m so glad it went well.”
Part of the kidney containing the tumour was cut out, placed in a plastic bag and removed through one of the small incisions. The live broadcast did not compromise her safety.
Robots were introduced at Guy’s in 2004 by Professor Prokar Dasgupta, who oversaw Ms Parker’s operation. The new robot is the second at Guy’s.
Mrs Parker, who has two adult children and a 10-month-old granddaughter, Ronnie, was walking around on the morning after her operation. She was released from hospital last Friday.
Mr Challacombe, who has performed about 400 partial or full kidney removals with the robot, said it helped him operate more quickly, with greater precision and improved safety. “If there is a problem we can usually fix it,” he said. “If there’s bleeding we can usually stop it.”
He encountered difficulties locating the kidney mass because of her high body mass index but declared the operation a success. “You never score 100 per cent on any exam, on any operation, but we are high 90s here,” he said.
Photo caption: Denise Parker, left, has a kidney removed by robotic surgeon Ben Challacombe with the help of Rick Catterwell, right.
