Pioneering technology in which robots operate on cancer patients has been hailed by hospital bosses.
St George’s Hospital, Tooting, is one of just a few hospitals in the UK that is using robotic surgery on patients with bladder cancer.
A bladder cystectomy is routinely carried out on patients when part or all of the bladder is removed.
However by using robotic technology the invasive nature of the procedure can be reduced offering an alternative to open surgery.
Margaret Box, 63 from Raynes Park, was one of the first to undergo a robotic cystectomy last year.
After 12 days she was free to leave the hospital without any need for painkillers.
Matthew Perry, urology consultant at St George’s Hospital, said: "Robotic surgery for bladder cancer offers the advantages of less trauma to the patient while maintaining excellent cancer control rates. This means patients get better faster, have less complications, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to work."
For more information actiononbladdercancer.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here