- Procedure uses green dye, robotic arms and 3D vision to locate tumours
- Fluorescent light makes the dye in blood vessels and tissue glow
- As a result, the surgeon can locate and remove all cancerous tissue
By
Martyn Halle
17:00 EST, 7 December 2013
|
17:11 EST, 7 December 2013
A new procedure that combines luminous green dye, robotics and 3D vision is enabling surgeons to remove kidney tumours accurately – meaning patients no longer need lose the entire organ.
Such tumours can be extremely difficult to diagnose and locate, but in the increasingly high-tech battle against cancer, the dye illuminates healthy tissue while robotic arms fitted with a high-resolution camera cut away cancerous areas.
The procedure was first performed in the UK at St George’s Hospital in South London during the summer.
Green Kidney Operation
‘This is a significant advance,’ says consultant urologist Steve Bromage. ‘It’s a new cost-effective technique that helps surgeons preserve as much kidney function as possible while still removing all the malignant tissue.’
The rate of kidney cancer has risen by 68 per cent in the past two decades, and nearly 7,400 Britons a year are now affected by the disease.
But the extensions of many tumours are difficult to spot with the naked eye, so surgeons currently rely on scans, and blood and tissue tests, to guide them. But these can still fail to spot all of the cancer, which makes the new dye technique so vital.
The dye has previously been used to help identify eye and liver cancers.
‘It’s a great tool and has brought new-found clarity to the procedure,’ says Professor Chris Anderson, a urologist at St George’s Hospital, who launched the new technology – known as Firefly – in the UK.
He used a ‘da Vinci’ robot for the operation, which comprises miniature instruments that are inserted through small incisions and operated remotely by a surgeon using a magnified view.
Groundbreaking: The new operation would lessen the number of patients who need a kidney transplant
The procedure starts with an anaesthetist injecting the dye, called Indocyannine Green, into the patient’s kidney just before surgery. It takes about a minute for it to run through the organ.
Then, with the patient under general anaesthetic, small incisions are made through which the robotic arms are inserted.
A camera on these has a fluorescent light so that the dye glows clearly, both in the tissue and blood vessels. The surgeon clamps the blood vessel that is feeding the cancerous tumour and removes both the vessel and tumour.
‘It was a very illuminating experience to switch on the fluoroscopic camera and see everything so clearly,’ says Prof Anderson.
‘I’m a great advocate of new technology like robotics.
‘You do have to acquire new skills, which can be a challenge given surgeons’ hectic schedules, but Firefly is a simple, effective technique that gives greater insight and flexibility in the operating theatre.
‘Kidney cancer is on the rise, but using Firefly with robotics means minimally invasive procedures and faster recovery times.’
When dealing with kidney tumours, some surgeons prefer to remove the entire organ, believing that it reduces the chances of a recurrence of the disease. It is hoped this new procedure will now encourage surgeons to spare it.
Prof Anderson says: ‘Partial kidney removal is a complex operation that requires complete removal of the tumour and reconstruction of the remaining healthy kidney. With this technology, we are able to achieve our goal better than in the past.’
Thousands of people undergo kidney cancer surgery each year. The disease is often diagnosed late because many patients are unaware they are ill due to the vagueness of symptoms, which include back pain. Chances of survival are high if the cancer is confined to the kidney, but reduced if it has spread.
Mr Bromage and fellow surgeon Neil Oakley carried out the first Firefly operation outside London to remove a tumour from Robert Holt, 77. The three-hour surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport was a complete success.
Mr Holt, from Denton, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with kidney cancer earlier this year – he has since returned to his role as a swimming coach. He said: ‘I have a very practical approach to life, and that includes my feelings about being one of the first people in the country to have this operation.
‘I was relaxed about the operation as I had total confidence in the doctors.’
The dye technique for kidney cancer was perfected in the US, where it is now widely used. Doctors there say their experience shows there is less risk of requiring a second operation because not all the cancer has been removed.
or comment on this article
-
VIDEO: GoPro shows you what it’s like being chased and eaten…
-
GRAPHIC CONTENT: Moment dead Sperm Whale EXPLODES
-
Disturbing CCTV of girl who brutally beat baby left in…
-
Hooded ‘Muslim Patrol’ vigilantes remove alcohol from…
-
ON CAMERA: Moment Paul Walker’s girlfriend arrives at family…
-
Flint the Pomeranian pup is cuteness gone viral
-
Groom sword-fights knight at fantasy wedding
-
Base jumpers use metal hooks in SKIN to support them in 73m…
-
Paul Walker’s father pays tribute to film star son
-
Cute little girl is unimpressed by surprise trip to…
-
Watch a car cross a fast-flowing river on a zipline!
-
LISTEN: Pedestrian records one World Trade Center ‘wailing’
-
EXCLUSIVE: Paul Walker’s close friend shares intimate, never…
-
Duchess of Cambridge’s tears as death of Nelson Mandela was…
-
Teenage boy with cerebral palsy dies in his mother’s arms…
-
Hannah Anderson hits back after aunt claims the teenager’s…
-
Death toll rises in America’s big freeze: Tens of thousands…
-
Extreme bungee jumpers attach metal hooks on harness to…
-
How a century of breeding ‘improvement’ has turned…
-
‘Muslim Patrol’ jailed for harassing couple holding hands…
-
Prince Harry’s 200-mile Antarctic race to the South Pole…
-
Valedictorian and honors student shot dead by college campus…
-
Ex-Husband shoots dead partner who wrote popular housewife…
-
EXCLUSIVE: Revealed, ‘devastated’ childhood friend of Paul…
Comments (0)
what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Find out now