Innovative robotic surgery is set to help hundreds of women living with severe endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions.

The surgical team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust performed their first robot-assisted hysterectomy earlier this month. The team were led by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Mr Ahmed El Gohari who is a specialist in endometriosis, pelvic pain and complex gynaecological surgeries.

The Trust took delivery of its first surgical robot at Maidstone Hospital in September 2024 and a second at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in April, and progressed to full theatre schedules using the robot faster than any other hospital in the UK and Ireland over the past five years.

Over 340 of the Trust’s patients have already benefited from robot-assisted surgery for colorectal, bariatric (weight management), gynae-oncology and urology procedures.

Robot-assisted surgery has many benefits for patients – it is less invasive, leads to less pain after the operation, and can mean a faster recovery time.

The robot is controlled by the surgeon and gives them greater precision, as the robotic arms mimic their hand movements. This allows complex procedures to be performed with smaller incisions, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.

Speaking about the introduction of robotic surgery for gynaecological procedures, Mr El Gohari said: “This pioneering surgery is an important step in setting new standards for women’s healthcare. We are one of the first NHS trusts in the region delivering this cutting-edge surgery which will help women who suffer with common gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis.

“Offering robot-assisted gynaecological surgery means our patients are benefiting from the latest advancements in this area, allowing us to deliver the highest levels of care and improve outcomes for our patients.”