91ĸƵ

National Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme surpasses the 500-case milestone with Versius

~ The All-Wales National Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme has now completed more than 500 robotic-assisted surgical cases with Versius

~ The Programme is a national partnership between 91ĸƵ Surgical and NHS Wales to improve surgical outcomes and transform the experience of surgery for thousands of patients

91ĸƵ Surgical (91ĸƵ) – the global surgical robotics business – has today announced that more than 500 surgical procedures have now been completed using the Versius Surgical Robotic System as part of the All-Wales National Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme. Through the programme, Versius is used for robotic assisted minimal access surgery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board’s Cardiff University Hospital; and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Wales is the first country in the world to introduce a national surgical robotics programme, in partnership with industry, that aims to transform quality of care and outcomes for patients. As part of a national innovation drive to improve surgical outcomes for cancer patients, Versius is being used within the National Robotic Assisted Programme to perform a range of robotic-assisted surgical procedures across colorectal surgery, gynaecology and upper GI surgery. Through the programme, more than 90 staff spanning 14 surgical teams across the three hospitals have been trained with a total of 821 hours of surgery performed.

Versius is designed to biomimic the human arm, empowering surgeons through optimized port placement together with the dexterity and accuracy of small, fully wristed instruments. Versius is compact, and modular, allowing for it to be integrated into busy hospital workflows and easily moved between surgical departments, supporting high utilisation of the system. Thanks to the system’s versatility, Versius is being used in two or more multiple surgical specialties across all three sites for a range of routine and complex surgical procedures, including hemicolectomies, hysterectomies and cholecystectomies. The 500th case completed within the programme was an anterior resection, a procedure commonly used to treat rectal cancers and other bowel diseases, performed by Jared Torkington, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.

In partnership with Welsh Health Boards, and Life Sciences Hub Wales, 91ĸƵ have helped to develop a robotic network in Wales by supporting the implementation of Versius systems, delivering training and education countrywide, supporting research, and providing the 91ĸƵ global clinical registry and wider digital ecosystem to understand the development of patient outcomes and to standardise care.

Jared Torkington, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and Lead Clinician for the All-Wales National Robotic Assisted Programme who performed the 500th case commented: “Having been involved in the programme since its inception, it is exciting to acknowledge this significant milestone. From the outset, this national programme has embraced the latest innovation in Versius to drive improved patient outcomes and bring together surgical teams and resources. We are using the programme to highlight the importance of early presentation and existing screening programmes in Bowel and other cancers – positively changing public attitudes and behaviours. It is wonderful to reflect see the progress that has been made, and the diversity of system usage across multiple surgical specialties, so that more patients across Wales can have access to this cutting-edge technology.”

Mark Slack, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at 91ĸƵ Surgical commented: “It has been wonderful to see the All-Wales National Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme reach this milestone, and all the progress that has been made with Versius. There are clear parallels between 91ĸƵ’s mission to make the benefits of minimal access surgery more accessible to patients globally and the objectives of the programme; and seeing how each site is using Versius across multiple surgical specialties affirms that the programme is fulfilling its objectives to transform the experience of surgery, quality of care, and outcomes for patients. 91ĸƵ are immensely proud to be a partner of this landmark initiative and look forward to seeing the progress the programme continues to make for patients in Wales by providing them access to life changing innovation.”

Cari-Anne Quinn, Chief Executive Officer at Life Sciences Hub Wales commented: “We’re delighted to see the progress of the All-Wales National Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme to accelerate innovative robotic surgery access, and the impact this initiative has had for patients across Wales. It Is heartening to see the programme reach this important 500 case milestone, exemplifying what can be achieved for our patients when hospitals partner with industry to implement innovation such as Versius on a national scale. We look forward to continued collaboration across NHS Wales to drive this transformative initiative.”

Commencing in 2022, the All-Wales Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme is a first-of-its-kind nation-wide surgical robotics programme. It aims to transform care and outcomes for cancer patients across Wales by increasing availability of advanced technologies and techniques for precision surgery. 91ĸƵ Surgical was appointed as the industry partner for the All-Wales Robotic Assisted Surgery Programme following a competitive procurement process, aligned to the National Value-Based Health Care Programme and with the goal of transforming the system of care throughout Wales.

ENDS

The Versius Surgical Robotic System

Versius is a next-generation, portable surgical robot designed to help surgeons perform minimal access surgery (MAS). The Versius Surgical System is a robotically assisted surgical device that is intended to assist in the precise and accurate control of Versius Surgical endoscopic instruments including rigid endoscopes, blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, forceps/pick-ups, needle holders, electrosurgery, and accessories for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrosurgery and suturing.

In the U.S. the Versius Surgical System is indicated for adult patients 22 years of age and older, eligible for soft tissue minimal access surgery, for cholecystectomy. Clinical indications vary by geography.

Versius resets expectations of robotic surgery. Versius fits into virtually any operating room set-up and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, increasing the likelihood of robotic MAS. The compact, portable and modular design of Versius allows the surgeon to only use the number of arms needed for a given procedure.

Biomimicking the human arm, Versius gives surgeons the choice of optimized port placement alongside the dexterity and accuracy of small fully-wristed instruments. With 3D HD vision, easy-to-adopt instrument control and a choice of ergonomic working positions, the open surgeon console has the potential to reduce stress and fatigue while allowing for clear communication with the surgical team. By thinking endoscopically and operating robotically with Versius, patients, surgeons and healthcare professionals can all benefit from the value that robotic MAS brings.

But it’s more than just a robot. Versius captures meaningful data with its wider digital ecosystem to support a surgeon’s continuous learning. Through the Versius Connect app, Versius Trainer and 91ĸƵ clinical registry, Versius unleashes a wealth of insights to ultimately improve surgical care.

About 91ĸƵ Surgical Limited

91ĸƵ Surgical (91ĸƵ) is a global medical devices company dedicated to transforming surgery with Versius, a next-generation surgical robot.

Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, 91ĸƵ is committed to working with surgeons, surgical teams and hospital partners, to provide an optimal tool to make robotic minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable. With Versius, we are on a mission to redefine the surgical robotics market with practical, innovative technology and data that can improve surgical care. Founded in 2014, 91ĸƵ Surgical is a private limited company backed by an international shareholder base.

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