Leeds Hospitals Charity is thrilled to announce that Leeds Teaching Hospitals is now able to begin transformative surgeries thanks to the arrival of a new AirSeal- a revolutionary piece of equipment for operations using minimal, access including robotic surgery.

The AirSeal, which cost £70,000, was funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity plus a very generous donation of £10,000 from one of the charity’s supporters - SimplyHealth, who provide access to everyday healthcare through health plans for individuals, families and companies.

This amazing piece of equipment helps surgeons operate in a clearer field without fear of venting surgical smoke from the abdomen. This allows for quicker abdominal operations and reduces operative pain and patient stability under anaesthesia.

"The age of patients we perform these procedures on has come down drastically"

Professor Ram Subramaniam, Consultant in Paediatric Urology at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said:

“The theatres staff are extremely grateful Leeds Cares have funded this piece of equipment. Some of the procedures we would usually do could potentially transmit viruses due to aerosol generation, so equipment like the AirSeal is so important to combat this and ensure we keep both our patients and staff safe in the current climate with the pandemic.

“The introduction of this equipment has allowed us to operate under considerably lower pressures than we previously did. Therefore, the age of patients we perform these procedures on has come down drastically from children at one year old, to children around six months and even 3 months old in due course.”

“A huge thank you to Leeds Cares and their donors and supporters. The charity has done a great deal to help provide excellent quality care for our patients and it is very much appreciated.”