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A new surgical robot is now operational at Franklin Hospital.
It’s the first facility in the country to have an operational Hugo RAS robot on
site.
Franklin Hospital general manager Melanie Skelton said the location of a robot in this hospital opens a whole new opportunity for patients in the Franklin area.
The Hugo robot, also called the Hugo RAS system, is a surgical robotic system developed by Medtronic. Its purpose is to assist surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures for urological operations, but it can be used for other specialties as well, such as gynecology and general surgery.
“Other surgical providers have performed robot-assisted surgeries in the past with the Da Vinci robot. However, the Hugo is significantly different and allows the surgeon to have visual awareness of what is happening in the operating room,” Skelton said.
Skelton said she and clinical services lead Margaret Dube went to have a look at a display run by Medtronic last year.
“We were quite impressed by the set-up. It gives much more flexibility to the surgeons.”
Several surgeons who operate out of Franklin Hospital also went to check out the new technology. Surgeons and nurses take part in an immersive training programme overseas before being allowed to use the new robot.
Surgeons from a range of specialties have also indicated their interest in using the new robotic system. Surgeons from New Zealand go overseas for fellowships, learning how to use surgical robots, but have nowhere to use those skills, Skelton said.
“We thought it’s a better treatment route for patients: less invasive, less traumatic for them so you get a better recovery. Our board, who is very proactive and forward-thinking, said let’s give it a shot.”
Dr David Moss performed the inaugural surgery on May 7, a robotic-assisted left inguinal hernia repair using the Hugo surgical robot.
“Prior to this date, there had been a lot of preparation and training with the staff at Franklin, as well as many sessions of simulation and observation of cases. It was no surprise, given all this preparation, that the operation went very smoothly as planned.”
He said this was hopefully the beginning of a very exciting time as he and other surgeons build experience with Hugo.
“The improved optics and increased dexterity that Hugo offers over laparoscopic techniques will benefit patients and offer them quicker recovery from their surgery, particularly in more complex cases.”
Moss said it also puts Franklin Hospital at the forefront of hernia surgery in New Zealand and has the potential to become an educational centre for this type of surgery.
