First robotic procedure to treat kidney stones performed at HMGH
ATEAM of surgeons at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has recently performed the first kidney stone treatment procedure using the Roboflex surgical robot at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH). The state-ofthe-art flexible laparoscope technology allows for the effective, non-invasive treatment of kidney stones and the operation marked the first time the Roboflex technology has been used at HMGH.
The procedure was done by HMC Acting Chief Medical Officer, Senior Consultant and Chair of Surgical Services Dr Abdulla al Ansari together with HMGH Senior Consultant, Surgery and Head of the Surgery and Urology Departments Dr Morshed Ali Salah.
Dr al Ansari said, “The successful completion of this procedure marks the first time we have used this technique at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital. This technology was developed by clinicians from Turkey and breaks up kidney stones using a laser. The procedure can be performed under general anesthesia and doesn’t require a surgical incision, which typically means the surgery is performed in less time and with the patient having a shorter recovery period and experiencing less pain. We expect to conduct around two hundred surgeries each year at HMGH using this technology.”
HMGH’s Acting Medical Director Dr Moustafa al Khalil said, “The introduction of the Roboflex surgical robot at HMGH is evidence of our commitment to improving patient care by offering the highest standard of therapeutic treatment. We are pleased to be able to provide our patients with the latest technology and efficient medical expertise.”
Dr Salah said the patient, a man in his forties who had a large stone measuring approximately 2 centimeters in the right kidney, was an ideal candidate for the procedure due to the size and location of his stone.
“The most common form of kidney stone removal is the laparoscopic technique. In this technique, a laparoscope is passed through a small incision in the waist area and then used to break the stone, or stones, into smaller pieces, which can then be removed using special surgical tools. In the case of this patient, a more advanced treatment was required due to the size and position of the stone. This advanced technique involves passing a laparoscope through the urinary tract before using a laser to break the stone into smaller pieces. We are pleased to now be able to offer this treatment to patients here at HMGH.”
Kidney stones are hard collections of salt and minerals often made up of calcium or uric acid. They form inside the kidney and can travel to other parts of the urinary tract. Stones vary in size and can remain inside the body for weeks with many patients experiencing a range of side effects, including painful and frequent urination, severe lower back and abdominal pain, nausea, and fever.
While some kidney stones pass on their own, others require medical treatment. To help reduce the formation of kidney stones, doctors recommend drinking up to three liters of water a day, which promotes urine output and helps flush out the urinary system.