A Sussex NHS trust has carried out the most same-day total keyhole hysterectomies in the South East.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust came up with an "innovative pathway" after Covid-19 to allow women to go home the same day after having all or part of their uterus removed through a laparoscopic - or keyhole - technique.

This has been made possible by combining the 90-minute operation with a specific anaesthetic technique and a combination of medications for when the patient leaves hospital.

Paula Hawkins, 56, from Chichester is one of those to have the surgery.

After recovering from breast cancer, Paula had persistent abnormal bleeding and was advised that a hysterectomy may be good given her medical history.

Paula, who had the surgery at St Richard's in Chichester, said: "Having stayed overnight after my mastectomy I found I didn’t rest at all due to noise and disturbance and felt that home comforts and familiar surroundings would be so much nicer.

"After my surgery, I woke up and was totally pain free.

"Within an hour of coming out of theatre I was sitting up and having a cup of tea. I remained pain free and was monitored by the nurses on a regular basis and I was seen by the surgeon, anaesthetist, physiotherapist, pharmacist and surgical care practitioner and was ready to go home by 4.30pm that day. 

The Argus: Paula Hawkins, 56, was one of the patients who was able to go home the same day as her surgery

"My recovery at home was very good. Being in my own home, around familiar surroundings and home comforts was the best choice for me and I felt well prepared by the team for being there"

Melanie Tipples, consultant gynaecology surgeon at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, said: "Being able to offer a day case hysterectomy to patients means that the procedure is not dependent on patients being able to stay in hospital.

"This means surgery is less likely to be cancelled, ensuring patients can receive treatment quickly, particularly if the surgery is to treat cancer.

"We also know from the evidence that day case surgery reduces the risk of catching hospital infections and blood clots."

The idea came about after Covid when hospitals did not have enough bed space.

A multi-disciplinary team analysed data from previous laparoscopic hysterectomies and found that most patients went home less than 24 hours post-surgery and that those who stayed overnight were not accessing any extra care that they couldn't receive at home.

The Argus: The trust has done the most in the south east

This led the hospital trust to develop the new system for medically fit patients, with almost 250 having had the same-day procedure so far.

It was first established by St Richard's Hospital but the combination of the operation, anaesthetic and medications is now being used at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and Worthing Hospital.

Dr Bronwyn Middleton, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician and NHS England South East lead for gynaecology recovery, said: “The gynaecology and theatre teams at St Richard’s have been instrumental in launching this fantastic British Association Day Surgery and Getting It Right First Time approved pathway which allows patients to return home safely on the same day as their surgery."