Liverpool hospital carries out 100th robotic spinal surgery

The 100th spinal operation has now been carried out using robotic equipment at The Walton Centre

A team of neurosurgeons have carried out their 100th operation using robotic spinal surgery.

Used at the Walton Centre in Liverpool, the high-tech kit is one of the first of its kind to be used in the UK.

The robotic navigation system enables "minimally invasive" procedures to be carried out.

The centre said it aimed to "innovate and enhance the service further for the benefit of patients across the North West".

One of the latest operations was a spinal fusion carried out on Jeffrey Perry, 40, from Runcorn.

Mr Perry told BBC North West he had been living with sciatica for more than two decades but it had got much worse over the past two years.

He said: "It's impacted my life because I can't work at the minute because of it.

"The pain is just unreal, really bad 24/7."

He said his illness had impacted on his mood and likened the pain to being "prodded in the back with a sharp instrument".

"I'm hoping to be able to get back to some sort of work," he added. "I don't know what line of work, depending on how good the recovery is."

Jeffrey Perry, 40, from Runcorn was the 99th person to undergo the robotic spinal surgery at The Walton Centre

Mr Perry was the 99th person to undergo the innovative procedure.

The robot used by the team at the Walton Centre comprises a rigid robotic arm, which is tracked and fully navigated by a camera.

It is then programmed to follow a trajectory pre-planned by surgeons.

Robotic surgery has been in use at the Walton Centre in Fazakerley since October 2022.

The equipment benefitted patients in terms of reducing the time patients spend in theatre and often resulted in a shorter recovery time, the Walton Centre said.

'Life-changing procedures'

The robotic kit enables treatment such as placement of spinal screws to be carried out to an incredibly high level of precision, facilitated by the centre's neurosurgeons.

Jan Ross, chief executive officer for The Walton Centre, said: "It cannot be understated how incredible an achievement this is, not only for patients, but for our staff too."

She said she was delighted with the progress made, and couldn't wait to see the team "innovate and enhance the service further for the benefit of patients across the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man".

John Bowden, 77, from Prestatyn, North Wales, is one of those who have undergone the robotic surgery at The Walton Centre

Martin Wilby, consultant spinal surgeon and clinical lead for complex spine, said: "We've now seen first hand how this innovative approach can improve the outcomes for complex spinal patients.

"I'm incredibly proud of how we've reached this milestone, now on to the next 100."

Also among those who have undergone the robotic spinal surgery at the Walton Centre is John Bowden, 77, from Prestatyn, North Wales.

He said it had changed his life, enabling him "to do a lot more than before" and helped when he spent time with his grandchildren.