The first patient to receive surgery from Leo, Kingston Hospital's new surgical robot, is back at home following a successful procedure.

John, a 46-year-old copywriter from Twickenham, had a suspicious cyst that doctors suspected was cancerous, requiring a radical nephrectomy: a procedure which involves removing a whole kidney.

The procedure often requires a three day stay in the hospital, but John was let out after a day thanks to Leo's help.

"I overheard one of the Night Nurses saying to a colleague: 'Wow he looks amazing,'" said John. 

"So, if in a matter of hours of the operation I'm looking better than anyone they've seen before – that shows how much of an advance robotic surgery is."

He added: "It's been a few days now and I can leave the house for short periods of time [...] which might not have been possible with a different procedure."  

The hospital says the use of surgical robotics "promises to enable more accuracy and control during procedures, with patient benefits including less invasive surgery with less postoperative complications, faster recovery times and shorter stays in hospitals".

The robot, named Leo after a staff competition, was purchased thanks to the generosity of local resident and philanthropist Dame Marit Mohn, part of over £100 million of donations she has given to organisations including Kingston's Rose Theatre and Kingston University.

Dame Marit Mohn at her Honorary Doctor of Laws graduation ceremony. (Photo: Kingston University)

The da Vinci Xi robot she funded uses four instrument arms and magnified 3D imaging to help surgeons operate with greater precision.

Chief of Surgery and Planned Care at Kingston Hospital Mr Sarb Sandhu said:

"The role of philanthropy is once again demonstrating its importance in helping ensure our patients can access gold standard services at their local hospital [...] It's very exciting to see the benefits surgical robotics will bring for our patients now and in the years to come.

"As Chief of Surgery, acquiring a surgical robot means Kingston Hospital is now better placed to attract talented surgeons and theatre staff who have been trained to use this cutting-edge technology. 

"We are enormously grateful to Dame Marit for her generosity."

A further three lists of robotic procedures are planned for May, with gynaecology patients requiring surgery to start being treated from July, followed by colorectal patients from around October this year.

Kingston Hospital is now one of 30% of NHS trusts nationally who use surgical robots like Leo to help to increase surgical safety and productivity.