A new trial of robot surgeons in hip replacement surgery has been launched.
The study, by University of Warwick, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, aims to help determine whether use of robots in hip surgery results in better outcomes for patients.
Hip replacement is one of the most common operations performed by the NHS.
RACER-Hip is a world-first robotic hip replacement surgery study funded with £1m from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
In robotic assisted hip replacement surgery, a robotic arm prepares the bone and inserts the components to a pre-programmed three-dimensional plan.
It is thought using a robot to perform the surgery allows more precise, consistent surgical techniques – and this may help to reduce variation and prevent poor outcomes and complications that can require redo surgery.
Robotic systems are being introduced into the NHS and presented to the public as innovative best practice. However, there is currently little evidence to show that these systems are better than conventional surgery.
The team will invite patients from at least six NHS hospitals across England and Scotland to take part over the coming months. The first site has opened at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, while the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has just taken delivery of one of the robots for the trial, the first time this service will be available within the NHS for hip operations in the Northeast of England. The manufacturer of the robot, Stryker, will be supporting the study costs to ensure hospitals do not have to pay extra to take part.
Peter Wall, one of the two surgeons who lead the study, said “The RACER-Hip study is significant investment by the NHS to examine the effectiveness of robotic hip replacement surgery.
“Robotic technology has the potential to revolutionise hip replacement surgery, however the first step to this is understanding whether it can help enhance the care surgeons provide.
“We are really excited that some centres such as Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been provided with a robot specifically to take part in this research.”
Ed David, the other surgeon, added: “The research will help orthopaedic surgeon across the world to better understand the most effective tools for performing hip replacement surgery and ensure the very best outcomes for their patients.
“This study will also include an in-depth health economic analysis to inform the NHS if this technology should be widely adopted.”