Cromwell Hospital, Kensington, London, has become the first hospital in the UK to perform gynaecology and Hepato Pancreato Biliary (HPB) operations using a new robotic-assisted surgical system, the da Vinci Single Port (SP).
The hospital, which installed the da Vinci SP system in March 2025, will also be using the system for urology operations. The da Vinci SP system is a platform for robotic-assisted surgery designed to enable surgeons to perform procedures through a single incision or natural orifice.
The surgeon using the surgical system sits at a console in the operating theatre, viewing live 3D images of the patient’s anatomy. Using hand and foot controls, they’re able to use the camera system and miniature instruments inside the patient’s body, allowing accurate and precise surgical manoeuvres in narrow spaces.
This is Cromwell Hospital’s second da Vinci system, after installing the multiport da Vinci Xi system in 2021. Performing robotic assisted surgery using the system, surgeons have seen huge benefits for patients including, less pain, faster recovery time, less chance of scarring and tissue loss and less blood loss.
While other hospitals in the UK are already using the da Vinci SP for urology and head and neck procedures, Cromwell Hospital is the first to offer it to patients for gynaecology and HPB procedures.
Mr Amer Raza, Consultant Gynaecologist at Cromwell Hospital, who performed the first gynaecology surgery on the da Vinci SP said: “It is an incredible honour to introduce the da Vinci SP to gynaecological surgery in the UK. At Cromwell Hospital, we are committed to leading innovation in surgical care, ensuring patients have access to state-of-the-art treatments that improve outcomes and recovery times. This technology will transform the way we approach complex procedures, including endometriosis and fibroid surgery, as well as hysterectomies. By integrating the da Vinci SP into our surgical practice, we are setting new benchmarks in precision and patient care.”
Professor Long R Jiao, Pancreatic and Liver Surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, performed the first gallbladder and liver resection surgery using the da Vinci SP said: “I’m delighted to have performed the first UK HPB surgery on the da Vinci SP. It’s a fantastic system designed to perform complex operations through a single incision, giving us more options to suit our patient’s needs and perform surgeries that may not have been possible before.”
Philip Luce, CEO at Cromwell Hospital added: “We are very proud to be the first hospital in the UK to perform gynaecology and HPB operations on the da Vinci SP as well as introducing it for urology surgery. It shows our commitment to innovation and making sure our patients have access to the very best care, equipment and treatment.”
