Clatterbridge Private Clinic is collaborating with the private Sefton Suite within Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust to offer patients access to innovative new treatment technology for head and neck cancer. The da Vinci single port (SP) robotic surgery platform enables surgeons to perform complex surgeries to remove tumours through a single incision or natural orifice, resulting in less invasive procedures with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. This treatment is revolutionising head and neck cancer treatment and care.
What is the Da Vinci SP robotic surgery?
The Da Vinci SP enables surgeons to perform robotic-assisted surgery through a single port, resulting in minimally invasive procedures with reduced recovery time for patients. It offers surgeons the ability to access all the necessary tools for surgery through a single robotic arm, all within an incision that’s smaller than 3cm.
The system provides a high-definition, 3D view of the surgical field, which allows for more precise control over tumour removal. The instruments are multi-jointed and wristed, so they work like human hands but with a far greater field of movement.
Head and neck cancer treatment innovation
Da Vinci SP’s single access port enables surgeons to access tumours through a single incision or natural orifice, such as through the mouth, with surgical instruments that can then work more easily in the tight space of the throat and airway. Previously, where tumours were not accessible through the mouth, patients would have to have big operations to split their jaw to reach the cancer, which would be very painful and require a long recovery period in hospital.
With the da Vinci SP robotic surgery, more tumours can be safely removed through the mouth, resulting in better outcomes for patients, including reduced recovery periods, no need for feeding or tracheostomy tubes, or even the potential to reduce the need for post-operative chemotherapy.
Liverpool University Hospitals was the first centre in Europe to use the pioneering robotic-assisted surgical system for head and neck cancers. It offers a magnified high-definition view and uses fine instruments for greater precision to remove tumours of the throat, and other head and neck cancers, that previously would not have been accessible through the mouth.
Aintree University Hospital is home to a speciality head and neck cancer service, forming part of the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre (LHNC), a collaboration between LUHFT, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Liverpool. The LHNC draws together world-class clinicians and researchers to improve outcomes for head and neck patients in the UK and beyond.
Clatterbridge Private Clinic offers patients access to this groundbreaking treatment technology
Mr Jason Fleming, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at LUHFT, was the first consultant to operate the surgical system at Aintree. He is partnering with Dr Ehab Ibrahim, Consultant Oncologist at the Clatterbridge Private Clinic, to deliver this innovative new service to our private patients.
Thanks to this collaboration, patients at the Clatterbridge Private Clinic can gain access to this groundbreaking new treatment for head and neck cancer, improving treatment outcomes and minimising recovery time.
Duncan Armfield, General Manager of the Clatterbridge Private Clinic, said:
“We are so lucky to have such cutting-edge treatments for our patients for Oncological, surgical or combined pathways. Dr Jason Fleming works out of our partners in the Sefton Suite in Aintree, to provide patients with rapid access to the brand new Da Vinci single-port robotic surgery when going private.”
“There are only a few of these robots in the country, and Dr Fleming works closely with Dr Ehab Ibrahim from Clatterbridge Private Clinic to deliver the very best and tailor-made Head and Neck cancer treatment. All of this can be delivered from our state-of-the-art clinic in Liverpool, where our dedicated nursing and patient support team can look after you and your family.”
Clatterbridge Private Clinic has a team of specialist consultants who specialise in a wide range of cancer types and their treatment. They stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and research in their field so they can offer patients the best possible care and access to treatments most effective for their disease. The private clinic has access to a vast range of treatment technologies not always routinely available through the NHS.
Head and neck cancer patients at the Clatterbridge Private Clinic can now access this groundbreaking new treatment, delivered in our state-of-the-art Liverpool clinic within the Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital. Our clinic is designed to be a relaxing and comforting space, with a modern and refreshing environment that puts patients and their families at ease.
Clatterbridge Private Clinic has a team of specialists dedicated to the treatment of Head and Neck cancers. For more information about treatment at the Clatterbridge Private Clinic, get in touch with our team today on 0151 318 8569 or Janine.wilkinson@nhs.net.