Luton and Dunstable Hospital surgeon uses new robot

A surgeon has demonstrated a robot used in medical procedures and described operating it “like flying a plane”.

The specialist weight loss clinic at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital is using the “da Vinci Xi” for the first time.

“You have to use your hands, eyes and feet to use all the controls. It does take a little bit of getting used to,” said weight loss lead, Doug Whitelaw.

According to the NHS, the number of bariatric surgeries last year was below pre-pandemic levels and it is hoped that using the robot could speed things up.

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