Lung cancer patients can now receive their treatment and be home the next day thanks to a surgical technique introduced at Heartlands Hospital.

Conventional open surgery to remove lung cancers involves patients staying in hospital from between five to seven days. The new technique uses a video-assisted thoracic surgical procedure, meaning it is minimally invasive.  As a result, patients feel better and recover quicker after surgery, with many well enough to go home as early as the next day.

Mr Ehab Bishay, a consultant surgeon for thoracic surgery, said: “We are confident that this new technique will make a massive difference to the treatment of patients suffering with lung cancer.  As the new procedure is undertaken using key hole surgery, there is no cutting involved.  As we no longer have to cut the major chest wall muscles nor spread the ribs, which can often be extremely painful for patients, they regain their energy more quickly and make a much quicker recovery.”

One of Mr Bishay’s first patients to have this surgery is 70 year old Robert Westbury, who had half his lung removed using this technique.  Mr Bishay said:  “Mr Westbury is exceptional in himself with determination and drive, leading to him being the first ever patient at Heartlands who has gone out only one day post-operatively after such a Lobectomy.”

Robert said: “I felt slightly sore, which you would expect after an operation, but otherwise I felt fine.  All of the staff were attentive and caring and did their best for me.  I see a positive future for me.”