Page 25 - Waterfall City Issue 5 May 2024

“I was surprised how quickly I was able to

get back to my usual activities after the
operation, and I’m very grateful that I was
referred to Dr Naidoo”

Mr Horn’s oncologists prescribed a course of radiation
therapy and chemotherapy to attack any remaining cancer
cells after the tumour and affected section of the colon
was removed. Dr Naidoo advised that he avoid nitrates
and processed foods in the future and have annual scopes,
MRI and CT scans, and blood tests to monitor his condition
(Left to right) General surgeon Dr Bhavesh Gordhan, visiting head of minimal carefully.
access and robotic colorectal surgery at the European Academy of Robotic
Colorectal Surgery (EARCS), Professor Amjad Pravaiz, and specialist general
and bariatric surgeon, Dr Sudha Naidoo, performed Mr Horn’s robotic-assisted “I was surprised how quickly I was able to get back to my
procedure at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital. usual activities after the operation, and I’m very grateful
that I was referred to Dr Naidoo and was a candidate for this
“I went into the theatre just before noon and woke up at advanced option at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, where I
11pm that night, not feeling too bad, although I was not was very well looked after,” Mr Horn says.
sure where I was at first. I was in ICU for three nights, with
the nursing sister at my bedside, monitoring me 24 hours a Dr Naidoo emphasises that the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical
day, as Dr Naidoo wanted to be cautious,” Mr Horn recalls. system cannot independently move or perform any action.
“We always have two robotically trained surgeons present as
“I had been dreading the surgery and the recovery, but it part of the team for these procedures, and Dr Gordhan and
was all good – unbelievably good. The doctors were very I always work together on robotic-assisted surgeries. We are
kind to my wife and me, and it meant a great deal to me in full control at all times; it is a superb tool that allows us to
in easing the stressful situation,” he says. operate with less physical trauma,” he says.

After four nights in Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, Mr “While any surgical procedure has some risk, many potential
Horn was discharged, and a week and a half later, he complications associated with traditional surgery are avoided.
returned to Dr Naidoo for a check-up and to remove his Internationally, a lot more procedures are being done with the
stitches. robotic-assisted approach. However, it is only recommended
as an option where there is a clear benefit in terms of the
“Although the marks left by the incisions were only complexity of the surgery and where it is appropriate for the
approximately 25mm, Dr Naidoo said the wound might individual patient’s condition,” Dr Naidoo notes.
open slightly. I was most intrigued when he advised me to
sit in the sun for 10 minutes for the next few days to help In addition to the colorectal procedures, Dr Gordhan and
it bind and heal – and he was absolutely correct. Dr Naidoo also use da Vinci Xi’s superior technology for
pelvic organ prolapse and rectal organ prolapse repair
“After robotic-assisted surgery with the pinnacle of state- procedures.
of-the-art technology, now using the natural power of the
sun – which is billions of years old – as part of the process Jacques du Plessis, managing director of Netcare’s hospital
struck me as quite an astounding contrast,” Mr Horn says. division, says the applications for robotic surgical technology
have grown rapidly in recent years. “It is very gratifying
Dr Naidoo adds that the healing properties of fresh air to see the difference these sophisticated procedures are
and sunshine are well-documented. Within weeks of the making to patients like Mr Horn and how investment in this
operation, Mr Horn returned to enjoying walking around technology is paying off in extending the capabilities of
his home suburb, as recommended for his heart health. robotic surgeons practising at Netcare hospitals.

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