The public will have the chance to get up close and personal with a groundbreaking new piece of medical technology in Aberdeen tomorrow.
A working model of Scotland’s first Robotic-Assisted Surgical System (RASS) will be on display from 10am-3pm at the Suttie Centre, Foresterhill Health Campus.
The RASS will be used for minimally-invasive procedures for conditions including prostate, bowel, rectal and gynaecological cancers when it comes into operation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) in the late summer.
Visitors will be able to try their hand on the replica – and meet donors to the project, including former keyhole surgery patients.
The ARI surgeons who will use the equipment will also be at the event.
Justine Royle, a consultant urological surgeon at the hospital and chairwoman of cancer charity UCAN, said: “This special event is an opportunity for us to thank everyone who has supported the UCAN fundraising – individuals, groups, businesses small and large, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government – to reach the target of £2.5million.
“This is a major first for Scotland and we are very proud that this pioneering technology is coming to the north-east.”
The new technology provides a 3D high-definition camera which gives surgeons a clear, highly magnified view of the procedure area.
In addition, the equipment boasts fine instruments, which mimic a surgeon’s hand movements, and make small incisions into a patient’s body allowing intricate procedures such as tumour and organ-removal to be carried out with more precision.
Professor Sam McClinton, consultant urological surgeon at ARI, added: “The benefits to patients include reduction in recovery time and their stay in hospital, reduced side effects, blood loss and complications – while for surgeons, we have the best possible view of the area we are treating, as well as reduced training time to perform the procedure.”
ARI staff will now be trained in how to use the equipment in the coming weeks and it is anticipated the first patients will be treated with it in late August.