The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Spalding man whose prostate cancer was operated on by a robot has urged others to get checked out.
Neil Periam (56), from Spalding, is one of 270 people this year to be treated by the semi-robotic surgery at Lincoln County Hospital installed last year.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust invested more than £3.2m into the state-of-the-art service which, it says, saves patients having to travel out of the county for treatment.
Mr Periam was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2022 and had a robotic prostatectomy in December 2022.
He explained: “A close relative was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 18 months ago and he had his prostate removed by robotic surgery. I had no symptoms but I was advised to get checked as soon as possible.
“I visited my local GP and gave a blood sample and was found to have a high PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level. I had an MRI scan and biopsy and was diagnosed in September. My surgery was scheduled in November and it happened in December.
“The care I have received has been excellent. I stayed in hospital for one night after surgery and the after-care has also been great. I also went to A&E with a concern and someone from Urology came to review me within the hour. It was really reassuring that my relative had undergone the same robotic surgery but the staff also explained everything to me.”
Mr Periam, a biology and chemistry teacher, was able to return to work six weeks after his surgery.
He added: “I would encourage others to get tested if they have symptoms or are identified as being at risk. I was symptom-free and had no idea until my relative had symptoms and got tested.”
A spokesman said: “Robotic assisted procedures are carried out by a surgeon at a special console connected to a robot which is designed to mimic the surgeon’s hand movements, enabling them to perform delicate procedures through the smallest of incisions. The procedures are less invasive, and use a standardised approach, which reduces risks during surgery and post-operative complications.
“The average patient who has robotic surgery will be expected to go home earlier and have a faster recovery.”
