Mr Sofoklis Panteleimonitis

Establishing robotic colorectal surgery in Birmingham

✨ New Publication: Implementing Robotic Colorectal Surgery Using a Standardised Modular Technique ✨ Delighted to share our latest paper published in Impact Surgery: “Implementation of da Vinci Xi robotic colorectal surgery by fellowship-trained surgeons using a standardised modular technique: a multicentre study from two UK units.” This study is an important milestone for several reasons: 🔹 Standardised modular training delivers safe, reproducible outcomes Our results show that when robotic colorectal surgery is taught and performed using a structured, standardised modular technique, outcomes remain consistently safe—zero conversions, low morbidity, low leak rates, high R0 margins. These findings build on our previous work demonstrating that procedural standardisation and competency-based training can make robotic surgery more predictable, replicable, and safer to adopt across centres. 🔹 First publication using our own consultant-level data Although Jamil Ahmed and I have co-authored many papers together, this is the first time we are publishing data from our own independent robotic practices as consultants—an especially meaningful milestone. 🔹 Real-world impact: supporting safe programme implementation The training we received has directly enabled the successful rollout of robotic colorectal surgery at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital. This work highlights that with a structured training pathway and a standardised technique, new programmes can be established safely with reproducible outcomes from the outset. A huge thank you to our co-authors, my colleagues, robotic team and to the anaesthetic, nursing, and operational teams at both hospitals for their expertise and support—and a special thank you to our trainers and mentors, whose guidance and commitment to high-quality, structured robotic training made this journey possible. Their influence is fundamental to our ability to deliver safe, reproducible robotic colorectal surgery within our own units.

1000th robotic operation

This University Hospitals Birmingham news article marks Solihull Hospital reaching the milestone of 1,000 robotic surgical procedures, reflecting the growth of our advanced minimally invasive programme. As one of the consultant robotic colorectal surgeons at Solihull Hospital, I am proud to contribute to this achievement and to the continued development of robotic colorectal surgery within the Trust.

Five theories about the staggering rise of cancer in the under-50s

I was recently featured in The i Paper discussing the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults. In the article, I shared my experience from clinical practice, where we are seeing more patients under 50 being diagnosed than in previous years. My aim in contributing was to help raise awareness of symptoms and reassure patients that early assessment is important and effective treatments are available. Open conversations and timely investigation can make a real difference.