Meet 'amazed' Sheffield grandad who became first person to use hospital’s new surgical robot
The operation was performed in 40 minutes
A grandfather has said he is ‘amazed’ at his recovery after becoming the first person to be treated using a Sheffield hospital’s new surgical robot.
Andy Sturrock was the first person to undergo pioneering robotic-assisted surgery using the brand-new Da Vinci surgical robot at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
The 69-year-old had an operation on his gallbladder on April 13 which required four small incisions into his abdomen.
The operation was performed in 40 minutes, with the team using the robots four arms and ‘miniature wrist’ movements to make fewer and less invasive decisions.
The robot, which was funded thanks to a £1.45m donation from Sheffield Hospitals Charity, is said to have ‘superhuman movements’ such as full rotation and reversal of direction, which are guided by hand and foot controls by the surgeons.
Mr Sturrock, from Wincobank, was back at home the same day as the operation, and was even well enough to look after his 16-month-olf grandson Felix just 10 days later.
He said: “I’ve been amazed at how far I’ve come with it in such a short space of time. I’ve hardly had any pain from the four incision sites, and I’m only aware of them if I accidentally touch them.
“Just before the op, I couldn’t do anything. I just felt shattered. The pain from my gallstones was just getting horrendous and I couldn’t even manage the short walk to the local corner shop. Looking after my grandson was challenging, too, and I had to lean on Felix’s buggy due to the pain or go to a cafe to sit down.”
“I’m fully recovered now, with all four scars completely healed and the week after the op I managed to drive my wife down to the post office with Felix there, no problem.
“The people, the staff and the team – they've all been brilliant. If anyone is given the option of having surgery with this robot, I’d thoroughly recommend it. I’d like to say thank you very much to everyone involved, including Sheffield Hospitals Charity. I’d give it all a thumbs up.”
Consultant Clive Kelty, who led the operation alongside Martin Trotter, said: “It’s wonderful to hear that Andy is recovering well from his surgery. Since introducing the new surgical robot, we have been able to treat over 30 patients and we are really pleased with how it has gone so far.
“The robot allows us to see dramatically better than the naked eye, and the instruments are more precise – they can rotate far more than the human wrist can, as well as only moving when the surgeon does. It means that the surgery can be increasingly precise.
Beth Crackles, CEO of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, added: “We’re incredibly proud of our £1.45m gift to help bring this state-of-the-art surgical robot to Sheffield. Andy’s experience shows exactly why investments like this matter.
“Seeing patients recover more quickly, with less pain and disruption to their lives, is a powerful reminder of the difference our supporters help us make every day.”