Surgeons perform 1,000 robot-assisted surgeries in under two years | News

Surgeons at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) have performed over 1000 operations using the latest robot-assisted surgery technology.

Robot-assisted procedures are carried out by a surgeon using a special console connected to a robot which precisely mimics the surgeon’s hand movements.

This means complex procedures can be performed with smaller incisions, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.

The Trust took delivery of its first da Vinci Xi robot at Maidstone Hospital in September 2024.

The surgical team progressed to full theatre schedules for gynaecological cancer, general surgery and urology using the robot faster than any other hospital in the UK and Ireland has done over the past seven years.

In April 2025 a second robot arrived at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and experienced surgeons began using it to support general surgery, colorectal and bariatric (weight management) and gynaecology procedures.

Mr Daniel Lawes, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Chief of Service for the Surgery Division talked about the benefits of robot-assisted surgery for surgeons and patients:

“The 3D view and super magnification give us better visualisation and more precision, meaning safer surgery and improved outcomes for patients.

“The system shows us where tiny nerves and vessels are located, so we can suture with greater accuracy and there is less risk of post-operative bleeding.

“Importantly, having this technology in our hospitals also allows us to provide the very best training and development opportunities to our staff and to future surgeons.”