Doctor has first cancer removal procedure in UK with newest surgical robot at hospital he works at

A doctor has become the first person in the country to have a cancer removal procedure by the newest surgical robotic technology, all at the hospital he works at.

Rob George, from Honor Oak Park, Lewisham, was one of the first people to benefit from Hugo, a robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system, after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 70-year-old is a professor of palliative care and had surgery to remove his prostate, called a prostatectomy, where he works at Guy’s Hospital.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has become the first Trust in the UK to adopt the newest surgical robot. 

The Trust boasts the largest robotic surgery programme in the country and the adoption of Hugo means it now has seven robots operating across six specialties.

Robotic assisted surgery is minimally invasive, so patients spend less time in hospital and recover faster.

Mr George said: “I’ve done a lot of firsts in my own career so I know things from the other side of the fence. I’ve had conversations with patients about doing something new or novel so I thought it was fitting that it was me this time.

“I came to this massively informed about what cancer means and what its potential consequences are, but I am an optimist. I thought ‘I’ve got cancer, here are the options, so let’s get it out’.

“I arrived early on Friday morning and was home by tea time the next day. From start to finish the whole process was amazing.”

Ben Challacombe, who is Rob’s surgeon and clinical lead for robotic surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We carry out the most robotic operations in the NHS, with more than 1,500 cases a year.

“Expanding our robotics programme with Hugo allows us to offer the benefits of this technology, including fewer complications and smaller scars, to even more patients.”

Rob, a father-of-four with eight grandchildren, added: “Because I was monitoring my Prostate-Specific Antigen levels it meant the issue was picked up as early as it could be and managed appropriately.

“So, my message to other men is to check your risk with Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker.” 

During a robotic procedure with Hugo, the surgeon sits at an open console, which displays a high definition 3D view and allows them to precisely control the robotic arms and instruments.

The hi-tech surgical instruments and a state-of-the-art camera are inserted through tiny incisions in the body. 

Pictured top: From left, Rob George and his surgeons Ben Challacombe and Prokar Dasgupta (Picture: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust)