Reece Wilton, a seven-year-old boy from Hampshire, has made medical history in the UK by undergoing robotic surgery for a kidney condition. The surgery took place at Southampton Children’s Hospital and involved the Versius Surgical Robotic System. The condition Reece was diagnosed with, pelviureteric junction obstruction, can lead to loss of kidney function if left untreated.
The surgery was performed by Consultant paediatric urologist Ewan Brownlee, who expressed excitement about the operation and the benefits of using robotics in surgery. The robotic system used in the surgery has a 720-degree range of motion, allowing for precise and complex operations on pediatric patients. The system was created by UK company CMR Surgical and is part of a study involving 150 patients.
Reece’s mother, Elizabeth Wilton, shared that Reece was nervous before the operation but became excited when he learned that a robot would be operating on him. The family has complete faith in the medical team at Southampton Children’s Hospital and is pleased that Reece is part of this pioneering trial. The surgery was supported by a large team of medical professionals who believe that robotic-assisted surgery will be a significant development in pediatric urology in the coming years.
Stephen Griffin, a consultant pediatric urologist at UHS, who assisted during the operation, believes that robotic surgery will be an exciting development in the field of pediatric urology. UHS chief medical officer Paul Grundy expressed pride in being part of the research that could benefit future patients. Mark Slack, co-founder and chief medical officer at CMR Surgical, highlighted the unique design of the Versius system, which allows for smaller instruments and incisions, making it suitable for pediatric patients.
The team involved in the surgery is hopeful that this pioneering trial will pave the way for more minimally invasive surgeries for children across the UK. The use of robotics in surgery has shown benefits such as quicker healing times, smaller scars, and better overall outcomes for patients. This groundbreaking surgery marks a significant milestone in pediatric urology in the UK and sets the stage for future advancements in the field.
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