Mater specialists are leading a robotic revolution in pancreatic cancer surgery which is saving lives and improving their patients’ outcomes after major surgery.
Pancreatic cancer is the third biggest cancer killer in Australia, claiming around 3,500 lives a year.
Patients with the disease frequently undergo a major, high-risk procedure lasting 5 - 8 hours, in which part of their pancreas, bowel and stomach is removed and the remaining parts reconnected.
However, Mater surgeons Dr Mehan Siriwardhane and Dr Shinn Yeung are now using robotic keyhole surgical technology at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane to significantly improve patient survival rates.
The da Vinci XI surgical robot was delivered to the hospital thanks to community donations to Mater Foundation, and provides surgeons with an advanced set of keyhole instruments and 3D high-definition views to enable complex procedures to be performed through small incisions.
“The Whipple procedure was first performed in 1940 and has always been associated with significant trauma, lengthy hospital stays and extended recovery periods,” Dr Siriwardhane said.
“With the surgical robot, we now operate within the abdominal cavity via small incisions improving surgical outcomes and reducing recovery times.
“Data from the first 70 robotic-assisted pancreatic cancer surgeries at Mater shows a mortality rate of 0.7 per cent compared with the international best-practice benchmark of 1.6 per cent.”
Data also shows a reduction in the need for further surgical, endoscopic and radiological interventions, and life-threatening complications, from more than 30 per cent to 14.5 per cent.
Patient, Christine Dagworthy, 76, of South Brisbane, had a large cancer removed from her pancreas using the da Vinci XI and was out of hospital 10 days after surgery.
“I had my last consultation with Dr Siriwardhane recently and he said I was in complete remission,” she said.
Mrs Dagworthy said she was ready to get back to the gym and that she and her husband Bob were soon to travel to France on holiday.
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said medical technology was constantly evolving and Mater was committed to ensuring patients had access to the best care possible.
On Wednesday 26 June, Mater Foundation will be asking the community to show their support again on Mater Giving Day - when all donations will be tripled by matched donors.
“Our doctors and medical teams play a key role in choosing which devices and systems are purchased to ensure every dollar donated delivers the maximum benefit for our patients,” Mr Thomas said.
Community donations to this year’s Giving Day 2024 will go towards:
CUSA Clarity Console for removal of brain tumours, featuring next generation in ultrasound technology that is 60 per cent faster than previous models.
Trans-oesophageal echocardiogram probe for better digital imaging and view of the heart during procedures involving heart chambers and valves.
A telemetry system for Mater’s campus at South Brisbane, providing improved satellite coverage and capability to continuously monitor patients while automatically transmitting information to a central monitor.
Dr Siriwardhane said Mater had been part of leading the charge in Australia when it came to using robotic-assisted surgery to improve patient outcomes with Mater Private Hospital Brisbane recently recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Mr Thomas said Mater Giving Day was the chance for the community to give to make good things happen.
“The great news this year is that Mater’s generous Matched Givers have pledged to triple every single dollar raised by the community in Brisbane and across Queensland – so the impact of community fundraising will make a truly incredible difference to Mater patients,” he said.
“This special day unites Mater staff, patients, loved ones and supporters with gratitude to help deliver life-saving medical equipment, research, education and healthcare. “
Donations can be made online at www.mater.org.au/givingday up until June 26.
