Patient recovering well

Dean Walter is the first to undergo new pelvic procedure

A patient who underwent Britain’s first total pelvic extraction using robotic surgery is recovering well.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust conducted the pioneering treatment on the patient, Dean Walter, to treat his advanced rectal cancer.

The 41-year-old, from South London, underwent the radical procedure, which removes all of the organs from the pelvic area, with robotic surgical technology – believed to be for the first time in Britain.

The trust said that traditionally the surgery would have involved a large incision but using the robotic technology meant the surgery was “minimally invasive”.

Surgeons operated on the patient using four robotic arms, controlled from a remote console.

After making incisions to access the abdomen and pelvis, they used the arms to remove affected tissue and organs.

Consultant surgeons Shahnawaz Rasheed and Pardeep Kumar operated in turn, with the procedure lasting around eight hours, the Royal Marsden said.

Mr Rasheed, who led the case, said: “Our traditional approach would be to do what we call an ‘open’ operation – a large incision would have been made from the chest down to the pubic bone.

“It would have taken a substantial amount of time, and is hugely invasive, leading to longer recovery and substantial scarring for the patient.

“In contrast, by using the robotic technology, we could do the procedure through a minimally invasive approach.

“It’s hugely important for this man, to help him get back to leading a normal life as safely and quickly as possible.

“It’s just over a week since we carried out the operation, and already Dean is recovering well and is very mobile.

“For selective cancers in certain patients, we will be considering this approach moving forward.”

Mr Walter, a former physique athlete and amateur fitness model, who worked as a play specialist for a children’s charity, will need to use colostomy and urostomy bags following the surgery.

The father of one was diagnosed in 2017 and referred to the Royal Marsden for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

But further tests showed that the cancer had also spread to his pelvic lymph nodes.

He said: “When I first heard that I was going to have robotic surgery, I was intrigued but also relieved, knowing that I wouldn’t have huge scars.

“I’m hoping that after this operation, I can start getting back to living a normal life and can begin training again for my fitness competitions.

“I can’t thank the Royal Marsden enough. Their staff have all been incredible.”

The trust has the largest programme of robotic surgery for cancer in Britain.

Its da Vinci robotic technology was funded by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

The charity is also funding the UK’s only robotic surgery fellowship programme to train surgeons from other trusts in robotic procedures so that patients from around the country can access treatment.

Picture: PA. Medical staff at work while Dean Walter undergoes the cutting-edge operation.