The first robotic hysterectomy for cervical cancer has been carried out using TransEnterix’s Senhance surgical robot in Rome, Italy.
The surgery has been performed at Policlinico Gemelli Foundation by gynecologic surgeon Salvatore Gueli Alletti, a member of Professor Giovanni Scambia's team.
Radical hysterectomy is generally performed during early stages of cervical cancer. The uterus and parametria, ovaries, fallopian tubes and the upper portion of the vagina are removed after dissection.
It is also a major cancer operation, where an extensive pelvic lymph node dissection is done.
Alletti said: "This is an exciting development in the minimally invasive surgical field. The Senhance system was successfully utilized to perform a radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy.
"This is an extensive oncological dissection, and the system's precision, camera control, ergonomics and haptics were important benefits to help perform this operation safely and effectively.
“I strongly believe that the Senhance is a promising technology in complex gynecologic oncology."
TransEnterix has been working on robotics to improve minimally invasive surgery and addresses clinical and economic challenges that hinder current laproscopic and robotic surgical options.
The company plans to commercialise its ALF-X, a multi-port robotic system, which has the advantages of robotic surgery to patients. It also has the advantages of haptic feedback and eye-tracking camera control for surgeons.
The ALF-X has received CE mark, but at present, is not available for sale in US. TransEnterix is also working on SurgiBot system, a single-port robotically enhanced laparoscopic surgical platform.