Joint robotic surgery improves patient journey

The first synchronised bowel and prostate cancer robotic surgery in the North West was performed by our Urology and Colorectal Teams. An excellent example of innovative clinical treatment and collaborative working within our specialities.

After 53-year-old John Boylett was diagnosed with bowel and prostate cancer, he began his patient journey with us when he was referred to the Complex Pelvic Oncology Team. Here he met Mr Shakil Ahmed, Colorectal Consultant, and Mr Robin Weston, Urology Consultant, who later performed the rare six-and-a-half-hour surgery together.

The teams worked together throughout John’s treatment providing joint clinical appointments, pre-op care and cancer surgery. By operating on two parts of his body during the same procedure John was able to recover quicker and was home within five days.

John - who lives in Birkdale with his wife Susan and 17-year-old son Thomas - initially went to see his doctor in September 2021 after spotting blood in his stool. Speaking to LUHFT Life, he said: “While I was at the doctors I also asked them to check my prostatespecific antigen (PSA) levels because my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 81.

“I expected my PSA levels to be fine because I didn’t have any symptoms and I’m only 53, however, my results showed that I had bowel cancer and also raised PSA levels, so there was a good chance I had prostate cancer too. My mind instantly went to worst-case scenarios because I had two types of cancer at the same time.”

Colorectal Consultant Shakil Ahmed said: Robotic surgery is a massive benefit to all our patients. There aren’t many centres in the UK that can offer this combined surgery. It requires a highly skilled level of expertise to operate the robotic machinery and complete the double procedure.

“It gives surgeons views inside a patient that you can’t see otherwise. I always explain to students it’s like comparing a 1980's TV to one today – the technology is just so much better. The robotic machinery improves the whole surgery for the patient and the surgeon.

“By working together John was able to go home after only five days, while the alternative would have been two separate operations with around 14 days in hospital, which could bring an increased risk of infection and recovery time.”

Following his operation in January 2022, John is recovering well while awaiting his stoma reversal surgery. He said: “Having the joint robotic surgery to remove all my cancer was 100% the best option for me. I’m taking things easy but walking our new puppy, Hugo, has helped increase my exercise and has been good for my mental health too.”

Interim Chief Executive, Sir David Dalton, said: “This is an excellent example of our highly-skilled teams from different specialities coming together to improve cancer treatment and patient experience. This is another step towards our aspiration of making LUHFT a leading centre for Robotic- Assisted Surgery.”