The Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) of the University of Leeds will head a clinical trial to determine if robotic approach can be used to eliminate bowel cancer by means of laparoscopic or 'keyhole' methods and also if this method reduces the risk of reoccurrence of bowel cancer.
The investigation will also demonstrate whether the keyhole bowel surgery reduces hospital stay for patients and involves less complication.
Using keyhole procedure, several surgeries can now be performed to eliminate bowel tumors. During keyhole surgery, surgeons utilize exclusive lengthy surgical devices, which are inserted via small holes made in the abdomen, to eliminate tumors. Keyhole surgery is as effective as open procedure for bowel cancer treatment. It was found that keyhole surgery also involves minimum stay in hospital and promotes quick recuperation.
However, performing a keyhole procedure is a tough task. Occasionally surgeons need to swap to open surgery halfway through the procedure and make a bigger cut in the abdomen to remove the cancer. To avoid these problems, robotic devices enable surgeons to view and remove bowel tumors through keyhole methods. During robotic procedure, surgeon can sit at a few distance away from the operation table, view magnified video images of the surgery and then use accurate hand motions to cautiously manipulate a group of robotic surgical devices placed inside the body of the patient to take out the tumor.
Scientists and surgeons are looking forward to estimate the benefits of adopting the robotic approach. They are evaluating what happens to patients following robotic keyhole surgery against those who undergo usual laparoscopic surgery.
David Jayne, Chief Investigator for the ROLARR (Robotic versus Laparoscopic Surgery) trial and Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the University of Leeds, stated that it is highly important to properly evaluate the benefits of robotic surgery. He added that the study will enable surgeons, healthcare providers and patients to understand the difference made by this distinct technology.
Recruitment of first batch of patients to undergo the clinical trial of robotic technology is over. In due course, the investigation will involve 400 patients in over 20 centers across the US, Europe and Asia. The University of Leeds partnered with Leeds NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust to perform the trial.
Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk