SURGEONS at Southend Hospital are now using a new high-powered robot to help treat cancer patients.

The new “da Vinci Xi system” - a state-of-the-art surgical robot - is treating patients who need of urology procedures, including treating cancer.

It was installed this month in time for Urology Awareness Month and works by mimicking the surgeon’s hand movements in real time.

It can bend and rotate the surgical instruments as they perform the procedure.

Mohamed Abd Alazeez, consultant urologist and robotic surgeon, and robotic lead, at the trust, said this helps carry out more complex procedures.

He said: “The new Xi robot has arms that can manoeuvre surgical instruments more easily around the patient, allowing us to carry out procedures on those with more complex anatomy and improve their care.

“Having a second robot means patients spend less time waiting to have their cancer surgery. We performed nearly 300 robotic prostatectomy, 100 robotic cystectomy and 65 robotic renal operations last year, and with the new Xi system we expect these figures to double.

“The additional machine also provides more opportunities for our surgeons to carry out new and pioneering operations, showing that we are a leading centre for cancer treatment.”

This is the second robot-assisted surgery machine at Southend Hospital.

The precise nature of the instruments mean that smaller, more exact incisions can be made than if the surgery were carried out by hand, meaning patients can recover more quickly.

Patients also spend less time under anaesthetic with the new machine, as surgical staff can easily move it into position.

Andrew Pike, chief operating officer at the trust, added: “This is the second surgical robot at Southend Hospital, while we also have a machine at Broomfield Hospital, meaning that more patients across mid and south Essex can receive advanced treatments.

“This will help us to drive down our cancer waiting lists and care for patients in need of urology procedures.”

While the robot is currently used for urology procedures, it is planned that it will be used to treat gynaecology and colorectal conditions in the future.