Over 100 Da Vinci Robotic Colorectal Cancer Operations have now been carried out at Beacon Hospital
Beacon Hospital’s colorectal robotic team has now completed over 100 major robotic surgical procedures, more than any other hospital in Ireland. This secures its position as a leading provider of this innovative new treatment option for colorectal cancer.
The Colorectal Robotic Surgical Team at Beacon Hospital is led by Mr. Diarmuid Ó Ríordáin, who became the first accredited surgeon in robotic colorectal surgery in Ireland in 2017, and works in partnership with Mr Adnan Hafeez, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Head of Quality Assurance. In addition Professor Neary has more recently become one of now only three accredited robotic colorectal surgeons in Ireland.
Mr. Ó Ríordáin was at the forefront of the development of minimally invasive laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Ireland when he returned from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in USA in the early noughties. Robotic surgery represents a further enhancement of minimally invasive colorectal surgery applying advanced technology allowing more precise surgery and better patient outcomes. Given the new and innovative nature of this surgery, the formal accreditation process through the European Academy of Robotic Colorectal Surgery is arduous and includes system and dissection training, case observations, a mentorship programme with hands on training and a rigorous independent assessment process. Since the foundation of the EARCS accreditation programme in 2014 there are only 50 surgeons graduated in all of Europe.
Robotic colorectal surgery is applicable to a range of major colorectal surgical procedures, predominantly for the treatment of colorectal cancer, but also a range of benign pathologies. For patients more precise surgery leads to better short and long-term outcomes, with shorter recovery times and shorter stays in hospital. To further ensure excellent patient outcomes Mr Hafeez and Mr Ó Ríordáin work together jointly performing major robotic and laparoscopic colorectal surgery at Beacon Hospital.
The details of the early surgical procedures carried out at Beacon Hospital are featured in a recent paper in the Journal of Robotic Surgery, where the team described their experience with the adoption of robotic colorectal surgery. The research shows that robotic colorectal surgery can be adopted safely for both benign and malignant conditions, using a structured training programme and without compromising clinical or oncological outcomes. Using the Da Vinci Si® system, the colorectal surgeons, conducted an analysis of their first 55 consecutive robotic colorectal cases performed in the first year of the Beacon Hospital programme between January 2017 and January 2018.
Mr. Diarmuid Ó Ríordáin, Head of Colorectal Surgery at Beacon Hospital said:
“Robotic colorectal surgery involves the use of the latest technology and techniques and is truly a ground-breaking treatment option. It leads to better outcomes and faster recovery for patients. For surgeons it allows better visibility, better dexterity and more precise surgery. This modality has significantly enhanced the range of treatment options for colorectal cancer offered by our multidisciplinary team at Beacon Hospital.”
Mr. Michael Cullen CEO of Beacon Hospital said:
“We’re very proud of our team for becoming leaders both nationally and internationally in providing colorectal robotic surgeries. With world-class technology and staff, we always strive for consistency in offering innovative treatment options for our patients at every stage of their journey. Recently, we doubled the capacity of our Endoscopy Unit, which allows us to offer appointments within 72 hours of referral. So now, patients that may require a colonoscopy can have rapid access, rapid diagnosis and if surgery is required they will have the very best colorectal robotic surgery team and technology available.”
Read the full paper here.