THE ROBOTS OF THE FUTURE HELPING THE WOMEN OF TODAY – THANKS TO ONE WIRRAL SURGEON
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THE ROBOTS OF THE FUTURE HELPING THE WOMEN OF TODAY – THANKS TO ONE WIRRAL SURGEON
by Consultant Gynaecological Pelvic Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeon , Miss Nahid Gul at Spire Murrayfield
Miss Nahid Gul is one of the Consultant Gynaecological Pelvic Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons in United Kingdom working in both Wirral and Manchester .
She ’ s been taking care of patients for nearly 23 years having fallen in love with the Wirral area after moving here from the West Midlands in 2001 . We asked her more about her work at Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Wirral .
How did you get into this specialist field ? When I was training in the West Midlands as a Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology , I felt I wanted to be a surgeon , but I particularly liked the fact that gynaecology considered both the surgical and medical aspects of treating a patient . I specialise in the more complex gynae area of cancer and advanced endometriosis as well as pelvic nerves which means I get referrals from lots of other doctors to see if I can help with particular cases .
I came to Wirral University Teaching Hospital in 2001 as Consultant Lead for Gynaeoncology and Colposcopy and worked in the NHS for many years although the work I do now I see patients solely at Spire Wirral and Manchester but I am also teaching laparoscopic surgery to consultant colleagues in the NHS in North Wales Health Board .
Post Covid , I realised I wanted to be able to teach younger doctors about specific techniques to make sure that skills wouldn ’ t be lost going forward and being at Spire gives me the opportunity and the time to be able to do that .
How important is the work you do ? The inclusion of technology in gynaecological surgery is crucial , as its minimally invasive techniques can make a huge difference to the patient .
Over the last 10 years the advances in this area have been massive . I do almost all my gynaecological procedures , especially hysterectomy for gynae cancer , heavy periods , fibroids , and excision of advanced endometriosis laparoscopically , that ’ s keyhole surgery at Wirral Spire Murrayfield hospital . I was trained as open surgeon in gynaecology cancer however seeing benefits of keyhole surgery to patients , I did advanced training in laparoscopic surgery in 2009 and robotic surgery in 2013 . I was one of the first consultants in UK to decrease the length of hospital stay in uterine cancer patients which was published by national GIRFT data ( Get it right first time ) and started it doing that way from 2010 .
At Spire Murrayfield Wirral we have national BSGE accredited Endometriosis centre and 3D laparoscopy service . This greatly reduces the recovery time for the patient . Any open surgery on the abdomen – what you would think of as a traditional operation - takes three to six months to heal - and certainly six months to be back to the strength you were before . It ’ s a long recovery time and at least a couple of days in hospital after surgery for a textbook case .
When you do a procedure like a hysterectomy laparoscopically , many of my patients are in hospital just overnight with only a four-to-six-week recovery time and can be back driving 10 days later , so you can see the difference it makes .
How does the use of robotics help in your work ? We have 3D technology for gynaecology laparoscopies at Spire Wirral which gives us enhanced visualisation and magnification especially in excision of advanced endometriosis . Robotics is the next level up from laparoscopic surgery . I am passionate about it and did a fellowship in robotic assisted gynaecological surgery . There are very few of us who do this type of surgery , although technology is expanding worldwide . Robotic assisted surgery is expensive at present and not necessarily required in every case especially if a surgeon is skilled in laparoscopic surgery . However , in complex cases , the robot will allow you to treat a patient where in the past it would have been very difficult and decreases the chance to convert to open operation .
The main difference is that with laparoscopy the instruments are straight and I ’ m holding the instruments to control them whereas with robotic assisted surgery , I am able to operate via a computer interface which allows me to use the instruments similar to open surgery with my hands . But remotely . They move like my wrist moves reaching difficult corners . I am in control of the camera as well as the instruments . So , if you compare these techniques to a traditional open surgery , you can see how laparoscopy , 3D and robotics massively improves what I can see and do as a surgeon . There are smaller scars and recovery is easier .
What ’ s next for you ? I continue to learn and adopt safe new technology which is beneficial to my patients . There are still many gynaecologist performing open operations for patients who could benefit from key-hole surgery . My aim is to provide safe surgery to as many patents as possible and contribute to teaching and training of other gynaecologist . I ’ m the Vice President of the British and Irish Association of Robotic Gynaecological Surgeons and as part of that I ’ ve been working with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on the robotic surgery curriculum for our upcoming doctors . Robotic technology as added benefit of teaching our juniors to competency level before they operate on patients .
I feel it ’ s incredibly important that we pass on our skills and experience . One day I might need an operation and I ’ ll need someone who does the same as - or better - than me . I want to make sure that doctors are getting every opportunity to train and upskill in what they do , particularly since Covid our juniors lost out in training .
Wirral Spire Murrayfield is known for providing high standard care for patients and investment in new state of at technology like 3D laparoscopy for our endometriosis centre . There is aspiration to get robotic assisted surgery as well so that our patients don ’ t have to travel to get robotic surgery especially for complex cases .
Our consultants have wide experience in the latest techniques and innovations and our inclusive prices and access to 0 % finance options make the process easy and more affordable . For further information on our broad range of procedures , and to find out more about our team of expert Consultants or to contact Miss Nahid Gul , search ‘ Spire Wirral ’ or call our specialist advisors on 0151 929 5408 .
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