A NEW £1.7 million robot has operated on its first patient at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI)

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust pioneered robotic urological surgery in Yorkshire back in 2012.

The original robot has now been officially retired to make way for the da Vinci Xi.

It's dedicated to cancer surgery and acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hands and fingers in miniature.

The robot enables advanced keyhole procedures which help to eliminate potential human problems like hand tremor.

Raj Singh, consultant urological surgeon and Bradford Teaching Hospital's cancer lead, said: “The new machine will be used for carrying out minimally invasive operations on patients with urology, bladder, kidney, and head and neck cancers.

“The da Vinci robot greatly enhances our precision as surgeons as it gives us better vision, increased control and a better working environment during the operation.

“Compared to a conventional keyhole procedures or open surgery, the da Vinci robot offers patients many potential advantages as its precision provides more accurate surgery, leads to less bleeding and fewer complications. It also provides other benefits including less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a swifter recovery period.”

Surgeons can control the device’s arms with immense precision during minimally invasive operations when surgery is taking place within a confined space, where pinpoint accuracy is needed.

Mr Singh added: “The latest Xi version has better functionality and a wider range of potential uses and scope to increase the number of patients who can benefit.

“It is more versatile than the original robot and uses better software, plus the controls and vision are quicker and better as the instruments are longer and you can work along the abdomen without needing to re-dock the robot.

“It’s my vision for the Trust to have a second da Vinci robot in the near future where we can operate two theatres side by side, increasing the specialities who can use the machines, so an increasing number of cancer patients can benefit from this innovative surgery.”

Professor Mel Pickup, the Trust's chief executive, added: “Our new, state-of-the-art surgical robot will further enhance care and treatment options for our patients and maintain Bradford Teaching Hospitals’ position at the forefront of this technique nationally.

"I’m delighted that the Trust has been able to invest in this innovative machine and we have firm plans to expand our robotic capability in the future."

Robotic surgery patients stay in hospital for a shorter period of time and have fewer complications.