'Robotic technology is the way forward' for cancer surgery
Robotic technology is increasingly being utilized in cancer surgery, offering significant benefits over traditional methods. William Duncan, the first patient in Northern Ireland to undergo robotic-assisted oesophagectomy, reported a successful recovery with minimal pain and a shorter hospital stay. Experts advocate for the expansion of robotic surgery across various specialties due to its precision and reduced recovery times.
- ▪William Duncan was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and opted for robotic surgery without hesitation.
- ▪The robotic-assisted procedure resulted in reduced pain, blood loss, and a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.
- ▪There are currently four robotic systems in hospitals across Northern Ireland, with plans for expansion into other surgical specialties.
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| Original publisher | BBC News — UK |
| Canonical URL | https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v9mj0r3jyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss |
| Publication time | Tue, 19 May 2026 23:00:07 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-19T23:09:58.467Z |
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'Robotic technology is the way forward' for cancer surgery9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAileen MoynaghBBC News NI health reporterBBCWilliam said the procedure has "definitely benefited" him in recovery timeWhen he was offered robotic surgery to remove cancer in his oesophagus, William Duncan's reaction was "I had absolutely no fear of robots".The former engineer was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in October 2025.His cancer was caught early, so when his consultant said they could "deal with this robotically" William said he did not need time to think about it.A few months later, the 59-year-old became the first person in Northern Ireland to have his cancer removed in an oesophagectomy using robotic assisted surgery.Traditionally the procedure is performed through open…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News — UK.