Liverpool surgeons lead Europe in pioneering robotic surgery

A surgical team at Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital has become the first in Europe to successfully use robotic surgery to operate on early-stage rectal cancer using a transanal da Vinci access port.  

The Colorectal team performed the groundbreaking transanal endoscopic microsurgery for early-stage rectal cancer in October 2025, using a £2 million da Vinci single-port (SP) robotic system, having been the first NHS team to use this surgical device in 2024.

Unlike traditional surgical methods, single-port robotic surgery is minimally invasive. The robot works as an extension of the surgeon’s hand, enabling a level of precision beyond human capability.

Stella Smeeton, 69, a grandmother from Cuddington, Cheshire, was the patient who benefited from this pioneering procedure. She was referred to Aintree after a complex growth, suspected to be cancerous, was found in her bowel.

Having previously had a growth removed in 2009, her local hospital determined that due to its nature, the new growth required specialist surgery. The Colorectal service based at Aintree and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, is one of the busiest in the country and has been recognised since 2011 as a centre for excellence in the management and treatment of early-stage rectal cancer.

Speaking about her experience, Stella said:

“From the minute I was referred to Aintree, the care was second to none.

“Before the operation, I was told it could take three to six months to recover using traditional methods, but just a week after surgery, I’m already going on walks with my husband and enjoying time with my granddaughters.

“It’s a blessing to have access to this technology and I’m sure many more patients will benefit from it, just as I have, in the years to come.”

The da Vinci SP was part-funded by a generous £1 million donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal. Hospitals in Liverpool have achieved several UK firsts in robotic surgery. Broadgreen Hospital was the first to perform prostate cancer surgery using the da Vinci SP and the first to complete knee replacement surgery with VELYS robotic technology, while the Endocrine service at the Royal Liverpool was the first in the region to use robotics to treat adrenal gland cancer.

Surgeons operate the robot from a nearby console, using hand and foot controls to guide its miniature instruments inside the body. A high-definition 3D camera provides a live, magnified video feed, allowing for enhanced visibility throughout the procedure.

The Colorectal service performs surgery on more than 700 patients each year and is continually investing in innovative forms of treatment.

Professor Shakil Ahmed, Clinical Director for Colorectal Surgery at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, who lead the procedure, said:

“Delivering this kind of surgery is a major milestone for us and for patients in our region and reflects the dedication and expertise of our team.

“Access to this state-of-the-art technology allows us to carry out more complex procedures with less risk. Single-port robotic surgery gives our surgeons a significantly improved chance of fully removing cancerous tissue from the colon or rectum. For patients like Stella, this means faster recovery, fewer complications and better outcomes.”

“We’re committed to ensuring the benefits of this advanced surgical technique are felt far and wide. We’re actively training colorectal specialists across the UK, Europe and Australia in the use of single-port robotic surgery and its advantages. Our ambition is to remain at the forefront of colorectal innovation and help shape the future of care both nationally and internationally.”

Find out more about Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital here.

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