There has been a 70% reduction in the backlog of elective surgeries that had accumulated during the pandemic since June 2022, thanks to robotic surgery innovation, according to Western Cape Health & Wellness MEC Nomafrench Mbombo.
The province’s backlog of elective surgeries stands at 20 849, down from the 77 000 operations that needed to take place in June last year, reports the Cape Argus.
Responding to questions from Health Standing Committee chairperson Gerrit Pretorius (DA) who wanted to know how many robotic surgeries had taken place at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals using the department’s Da Vinci XI surgical robotic programme, she said the interventions, plus additional focus, had made a big difference.
The Da Vinci system uses advanced technologies like 3D cameras, enabling a human operator to perform complex procedures with the utmost precision and with minimal impact to the patient.
Mbombo said the system had been used in 260 surgeries at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals, reduced the burden on staff, and also resulting in a three- to five-day reduction of time in hospital for many patients, therefore freeing up beds.
Cape Argus PressReader article – Health MEC says elective surgeries backlog cut by 70% (Open access)
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