Southampton Children’s Hospital (SCH) has become the first NHS site in the UK to use the Versius Surgical Robotic System to perform kidney surgery on a child.
The Versius Surgical Robotic System, created by UK-based company CMR Surgical, uses a unique ‘wrist rotation’ for easy manipulation of the tip of the instrument, which allows for the instruments to be smaller than otherwise commercially available, minimising the size of the incision required.
The technology is part of a landmark trial that could lead to a wider use of robotics in paediatric surgery nationally.
Its use has been hailed as “one of the most exciting developments” by surgeons at SCH – part of University Hospital Southampton (UHS) – who are leading the study which will recruit 150 patients.
Southampton Children’s Hospital (SCH) has become the first NHS site in the UK to use the Versius Surgical Robotic System to perform kidney surgery on a child
The system has an innovative 720-degree range of motion which allows the surgical instruments to be small enough to perform complex operations on paediatric patients.
Reece Wilton, seven years old from Gosport, is the first patient to benefit from the development.
Reece was diagnosed with pelviureteric junction obstruction in May 2023, a condition where there is a blockage or obstruction of urine flow from the kidney into the ureter.
The condition affects between 1/1000 to 1/1500 children, and if left untreated can lead to loss of kidney function overtime.
The technology is part of a landmark trial that could lead to a wider use of robotics in paediatric surgery nationally
Reece’s mum, Elizabeth Wilton, said: “Reece was nervous about his operation before, but we showed him pictures and he was quite excited to know a robot was operating on him. We have complete faith in the team at Southampton Children’s Hospital and we are incredibly happy that Reece is benefitting from this pioneering trial.”
The robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty procedure was performed by Ewan Brownlee, consultant paediatric urologist at UHS, who is leading the trial.
The surgery involved repairing the narrowing at the junction of the kidney pelvis and ureter.
Brownlee said: “This has been three years in the making so it’s really exciting for the whole paediatric urology team, and paediatric urology in the UK, that the first operation has finally taken place.
“The evidence for use of robotics in surgery shows clear benefits for patients, from quicker healing time and smaller scars to, in some cases, better overall outcomes,” Brownlee added.
“I’m hoping that this is the start of seeing an increase in minimally invasive surgery for children all around the UK when this becomes more widely available,” Brownlee concluded.
Reece Wilton, seven years old from Gosport, is the first patient to benefit from the development
It is hoped the technology will replicate its success in adult surgery, with faster recovery times, less post-operative pain, and less time in hospital.
Mark Slack, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at CMR Surgical commented: “We are delighted to begin the world’s first paediatric trial using Versius, in the UK. The small, modular design of Versius, and small instrument diameter provides an opportunity to be able to perform robotic-assisted surgery for the treatment of paediatric patients.”
“We are committed to the responsible introduction of Versius across new specialties and we look forward to working with our partners as we undertake this clinical trial to ensure the safety and efficacy of Versius in paediatrics,” Slack concluded.
The multi-centre paediatric trial is being led by University Hospital Southampton and is running at three sites across the UK.
The results will provide evidence required to guide surgeons’ decisions around when and how to use the robot.
Top image: Reece Wilton with mum Elizabeth Wilton and dad Ashley Wilton