Isabel, 84, celebrated 60 years of marriage after undergoing surgery at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary last year.
The Glaswegian – now living in Kilsyth – is one of more than 10,000 people in Scotland to have had robotic-assisted surgery since 2021.
After noticing bleeding, a biopsy showed Isabel had endometrioid womb cancer and a CT scan afterwards showed no spread. Plans were then put in place to have surgery with the Da Vinci Robotic system to remove the womb.
Isabel went into surgery the day after her 83rd birthday and just days away from her diamond wedding anniversary. Having friends who had the same surgery in the past but without robotic-assisted surgery, she thought she wouldn’t be able to celebrate.
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She said: “My friend had the same surgery years ago, and they were in hospital for about two weeks.
“Even when they got home, they felt terrible. It was coming up to our diamond wedding anniversary, 60 years, and I was worried I wouldn’t get home.”
Thanks to surgery by Kevin Burton, consultant gynaecological oncologist at the Royal Infirmary hospital, his team, and the Da Vinci Robotic system, Isabel was able to get home the next day.
Isabel said: “I woke up and didn’t realise I’d even had it [the surgery].
“When the doctor was in the ward, I said, “Excuse me, have I had my operation?” and he said, “yes.” I was just amazed. I was out the next day.
“I felt fine, good [after surgery]. I didn’t have a lot of scars, just five wee red marks. I had to be careful; I couldn’t lift anything heavy or do any hoovering for a few weeks, but other than that, I felt fine.”
Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery in which surgeons use robotic surgical systems to perform delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions.
Surgeons have total control of the system’s movements, benefitting from the enhanced visualisation, dexterity, precision, and ergonomics.
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The minimally invasive surgery – which Isabel had – leads to improved outcomes for patients such as quicker recovery times, fewer complications, and a reduced chance of readmission.
Kevin, Isabel’s surgeon, said: “We were delighted to treat Isabel here at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and fully remove the cancer. Using the Da Vinci Robotic system is better for us as surgeons and leads to better outcomes for patients, as Isabel experienced.”
Thanks to the surgery, Isabel could avoid treatment with radiotherapy. She was also out of hospital in plenty of time to celebrate her 60 years of marriage.
Isabel said: “I was glad I was able to go home and celebrate.
“I called him [the da Vinci surgical system] the Tin Man! He’s done a good job.”
