An innovative system is set to revolutionise the treatment of early-stage rectal cancer and large polyps.
It will offer surgeons a new tool to enhance patient care worldwide.
A surgical robot called the ESP robotic platform is now in use at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse to treat early-stage rectal cancer and large polyps with a minimally invasive method.
This innovative technology enables surgeons to perform transanal minimally invasive surgeries without making any abdominal cuts.
Dr Haitham Wadi, a colorectal surgeon at St. Joseph’s Health, said: ‘It allows us to remove either benign lesions or polyps or even early-stage rectal cancers without having to do any major operations. The idea is organ preservation, which means less pain, quicker recovery, faster healing, and a faster journey home, hopefully.’
The ESP robot is currently employed for patients with early-stage rectal cancer or polyps that cannot be removed via standard colonoscopy.
The procedure is so minimally invasive that many patients can go home the same day, with the experience comparable to undergoing a colonoscopy.
Dr Wadi sees this as a glimpse into the future of surgical care, where less invasive techniques become standard, improving patient outcomes and overall healthcare efficiency.
