Robotic surgery is a world first at Sheffield hospital

Nicola Dixon, 46, underwent a total robotic hysterectomy at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, performed using the Da Vinci robot.

There are no other cases recorded of such a procedure ever having been performed on a woman who has previously undergone a heart transplant.

The robot enables the surgeon, who controls the machine from a console using pedals and joysticks, to perform complex surgery through small incisions, which reduces the amount of bleeding and the risk of infection.

Nicola needed a hysterectomy because she was suffering from heavy and debilitating periods which were ruining the quality of life she had regained after the transplant in 2002.

She received a new heart after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle which prevents it from pumping properly, after giving birth to her daughter.

Nicola, of Everton, near Doncaster, said: “It has made a massive difference and the recovery period has been miles better than I thought it would be. I am mad about golf and getting fit to play again has been a real target for me.

“I was stunned when I was told this was the first operation of its type. It is really amazing.”

Nicola had her uterus and cervix removed, but retained her ovaries as they produce the hormone oestrogen which can help to protect the heart.

Nicola said: “Given my history, it was a massive decision for me to go back into hospital for another big operation. But the transplant had given me a quality of life which this issue was now destroying.

“I was losing lots of blood and having extremely painful periods to the point where I often could not go out of the house. I had tried numerous treatments which didn’t work for me and due to my medical history there were other treatments which I was unable to have. This meant my only option left was a hysterectomy.

“I knew my heart was in a good condition to have the operation, and alongside the fact that the issue could have got worse when I hit the menopause, I decided I had to bite the bullet and get it done.

“I had complete faith in the team at Sheffield hospitals because every time I have come here I have had nothing but superb service from everybody concerned. People are so good and caring. I chose to have the surgery here rather than privately because I knew the quality of service and also that the team that cared for my heart were on hand as well if necessary.”

The procedure was performed on the Da Vinci machine by Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Fiona Kew.

Miss Kew said: “Nicola had tried all the other available treatments for heavy periods but they had not worked. The surgery was the only remaining option. It is a relatively common procedure and I am used to performing it, but with Nicola there were added risks to consider. We did lots of planning beforehand to make sure we were fully prepared for any eventuality.”

In the event the surgery, which took about 1 ¼ hours, went smoothly and Nicola was allowed to return home after just one night in hospital. The recovery period is six to eight weeks and Nicola, a keen golfer, aims to be back playing in time for the summer season.

Miss Kew is planning to write up the case and publish it in a journal or robotic medicine.

“It will enable other surgeons to have that learning knowledge,” she said.

“But I think it also shows other transplant patients that they can get on and receive the medical care they need and still live a relatively normal life.”