London Bridge Hospital pioneers robotic-assisted thoracic surgery in the UK

HCA Healthcare UK’s London Bridge Hospital has become the first provider in the UK and one of the first in Europe to offer robotic-assisted thoracic surgery using the da Vinci SP (Single Port) system.

The novel surgical approach, led by consultant thoracic surgeon Tom Routledge (pictured) allows patients – typically those living with lung cancer – to quickly return to daily life with minimal discomfort.

‘The da Vinci SP (Single Port) system is a step forward in thoracic surgery, providing patients with an enhanced alternative option. It enables complex precision surgery through a single 5cm incision, typically made in the abdomen or chest,’ said Routledge.

The system features three multi-jointed, wristed instruments and a fully wristed 3D high-definition camera, all inserted through a single flexible cannula. The design allows for minimally invasive procedures, particularly benefiting patients who may not be suitable for traditional robotic surgery due to scar tissue or other complications.

Routledge and his team underwent extensive training for the procedure, supported by experts from South Korea and the US. ‘It is a technically challenging approach, but it offers significant benefits. Patients can experience less pain, have shorter hospital stays, and can return to their normal lives more quickly than with traditional surgeries,’ added Routledge.

The da Vinci SP system, developed by Intuitive, was introduced at London Bridge Hospital in March 2024 for urological procedures. Since then, more than 300 surgeries have been performed using the system by a team including consultant urologists Ben Challacombe, Chris Eden, Declan Cahill, and Rajesh Nair.

HCA Healthcare UK has invested heavily in robotic-assisted surgery, with a fleet of eight da Vinci Xi systems across its network, including at The Harborne Hospital. Over the past nine years, more than 16,000 robotic-assisted procedures have been performed across HCA UK hospitals, the highest volume in the independent sector.

David Marante, VP of Intuitive UK & Ireland, Italy & Iberia, said: ‘Congratulations to the team at London Bridge Hospital for pioneering the use of the da Vinci SP system for robotic-assisted thoracic surgery in the UK. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the team as it continues to expand access to minimally invasive care for its patients.’