Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Westmead Private Hospital now offers leading edge robotic technology for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The da Vinci Si ® Surgical System enables our highly skilled surgeons to provide patients with superior options for colorectal surgery. Use of the da Vinci Si ® Surgical System represents the fastest growing treatment for cancer world-wide. The robot at Westmead Private Hospital is the first system in Australia to offer single site incision capabilities. As a centre of surgical excellence, pairing cutting edge technology with exceptional surgical skills and nursing care, Westmead Private Hospital is advancing the management of colorectal cancer for our patients.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer (also called bowel cancer) is the second most common cancer in both men and women in Australia. Symptoms of Bowel Cancer may include: a change in bowel habits, blood in the motion, bloating or cramping and also may include tiredness, weight loss and unexplained anaemia.

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is confirmed by a Colonoscopy (an examination of the large bowel with a camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus).

Treatment of colorectal cancers is often multidisciplinary, requiring co-ordination of surgical care with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The type of treatment you have will depend on whether or not the cancer has spread or is at risk of spreading.

The Surgical Treatment

The goal of surgery is to confirm the diagnosis, establish where the cancer has spread in early cases and remove as much of the tumour and surrounding tissue as possible. Traditionally open colorectal surgery requires a large incision.

If your Doctor recommends surgery to treat your colorectal cancer, you may be a candidate for the new, less invasive surgical procedure using the da Vinci Robot.

Colorectal robotic surgery incorporates a state of the art surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.

Robotic systems replicate the surgeon's hand movement at the very tips of the miniature instruments when performing surgery. This makes for an intuitive approach with superior precision, allowing surgeons to perform more complex surgery in a keyhole fashion. The robot only needs incisions of less than 1cm in which to operate.

Colorectal surgery, with the use of the da Vinci Robot, offers numerous potential benefits which may include:

• Decreased post-operative pain
• Reduced length of hospital stay
• Reduced risk of infection
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to bowel function and normal diet

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