“I am a General Surgeon from Mozambique. I participated in trainership on Laparoscopic and Robotic Colorectal Surgery under the tutelage of Professor Jim Khan from May 30th to June 28th, 2024 at Queen Alexendra Hospital Portsmouth. It was an incredible and unique experience and I thanks everyone for their support. On the same occasion I had the opportunity to participate in the 8th Portsmouth Colorectal Congress held from the 19th to the 22nd of June 2024 in which, in addition to learning a lot about Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery met many contacts with people from various corners of the world and formed partnerships that without a doubt will be beneficial for me and my country. I also had the opportunity to participate in two intensive courses, namely The Surgical Navigation (SUNAC) course and the Laparoscopic Suturing and Stapling Course.”
Alumni
Dr. Zacarias Elsa Mateus
Central Hospital of Beira, Beira, Mozambique
June 2024
“I recently got the chance to spend 2 weeks at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust with Prof Jim Khan, Guglielmo, and the rest of the fantastic team. I was able to observe Robotic, laparoscopic and open surgeries at the institution hence see the difference & benefits of each modality. MDT’s and Ward rounds proved to be very informative as I was able to see a wide range of pathologies and how they were being managed. Everyone from the Doctors to the nurses were extremely helpful in guiding and explaining everything the OT had to offer- Procedures , instruments etc. The simulator offered a unique experience and an insight to what lies in the future for us young doctors. It’s only when you’re in the console simulating that you can truly appreciate the surgeon’s ability to operate so smoothly and precisely. I believe this experience will be a major stepping stone in my career and I hope to be back in the future.”
“I spent a wonderful time at Portsmouth, first-hand seeing the benefit of the robot in complex colorectal resections. The enhanced dexterity and vision to achieve a far more radical oncological resection than otherwise might be contemplated with a laparoscopic approach. Whilst still keeping morbidity very low. Observing emergency colorectal operations utilising the robot showed what benefits can be achieved utilising such an approach can bring to the patient in terms of post-operative pain and length of stay in the hospital. Finally, the research being undertaken to utilise the robot in a dedicated day case unit to examine the potential benefits it may provide. I hope this will act as a springboard to further my career in robotic colorectal surgery in the future.”
“I recently completed a one-month fellowship in the colorectal department at Queen Alexandra Hospital, and I wanted to provide very positive feedback about my experience. The entire team, from the department head to the nurses and support staff, was incredibly welcoming and made me feel like a valued member of the department. They thoroughly oriented me to the department’s procedures and protocols, and ensured I had ample opportunities to observe a various colorectal surgeries and treatments. The clinicians demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and professionalism. I was able to learn a tremendous amount by observing their skilled techniques and thoughtful decision-making. They were also very generous with their time, answering all of my questions and providing detailed explanations. Beyond the clinical training, the department fostered a collaborative and supportive environment. The regular educational sessions and case discussions allowed me to deeply engage with the subject matter. I also appreciated the department’s focus on compassionate, patient-centered care. Overall, my time at Queen Alexandra Hospital was an incredibly valuable and enriching experience that has significantly enhanced my understanding of colorectal medicine. I am grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend the department to any fellow seeking top-notch clinical training.”
Dr. Balazs Banky PhD
Semmelweis University, Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology, Budapest, Hungary
“It was a great time that I had the opportunity to spend in Portsmouth as a Trialect Fellow. Prof Khan and his Team welcomed me for a month with the best hospitality and friendship. I was happy to observe a good number and a variety of robotic-assisted colorectal cases. I had an insight in the workflow of a well designed colorectal team, picked up several good practices and had a chance to build valuable network with the local team members and other fellows from all over the world. In a nutshell: the one-month-fellowship was a great experience in my surgical career.”
Dr. Moises C. Unida III
Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Marikina, Philippines
“Had a very fruitful experience at Portsmouth. It was nice to be involved in the care of Colorectal patients using State-of-the-art facilities and Equipment. Consultants and Fellows are very helpful and Informative especially Prof. Jim Khan. This experience not only increased my knowledge on Colorectal Robotic Surgery but also about the National Health System and the Hospital’s unique way of dealing with their patients. I am really grateful for this privilege of being part of the Portsmouth Colorectal team and hopefully, sharing my experience would help make robotic surgery more feasible and accessible in the Philippines in the near future.”
Dr. Sentilnathan Subramaniam
Hospital Selayang, Lebuhraya Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia
“My fellowship in Portsmouth Hospital University NHS Trust under the mentorship of Prof Jim Khan and his team was an extraordinary experience. I consider it a milestone in my surgical career. Despite just spending 5 weeks there, it was a wholesome experience with ample exposure to various robotic surgery procedures and advanced laparoscopic procedures. The entire team was very inclusive and discussed the imaging and management approach of the cases with me. I had the opportunity to attend clinics, ward rounds and MDTs discussing various complex pathologies. Overall it was a great experience doing this fellowship with an amazing team. There was adequate time for us to be trained on simulators, the Royal College of Surgeons of England endorsed robotic surgical skills course (ROBO-CERT) and learn the tips and tricks during live surgery from Prof Khan himself. The humble and knowledgeable clinical and research fellows in the team deserve a special mention for making me feel at home. I will definitely recommend this traineeship as a preliminary exposure to all colorectal fellows aiming to do robotic surgery.”
Dr. Georgios Tzikos
AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
“I had a great time during my visit at Queen Alexandra Hospital of Portsmouth and learned a lot next to the experts. The host mentor, Prof Jim Khan, is an expert on robotic colorectal surgery and a passionate teacher who took all possible steps to teach me in a holistic and fruitful way. In addition, all the members of the colorectal department were very helpful and provided many facilities that made me very very comfortable. To sum up, I feel blessed to get a wonderful experience like this and I do recommend all future fellows to attend this program.”
Mr Jonathan C. Y. Lee
The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR
June 2023
“I completed a one-month observership at Portsmouth under the generous mentorship of Prof. Khan and the Colorectal team. I had the privilege to observe plenty of robotic and advanced laparoscopic operations, with commentary and advice from the team. I also participated in the ROBO-CERT course and had many opportunities to train my robotic skills in the simulator. The Portsmouth Colorectal Congress was another highlight of my stay. The range of surgical techniques presented in the live demonstrations and the great quality of the lectures made for a thoroughly comprehensive program and stimulated many intriguing discussions. It was a great opportunity to interact with international experts from all over the world, including Europe, Korea, and India. Overall, it was truly an invaluable experience to learn from and befriend such a dedicated team of surgeons, fellows, OT staff and nurses- they have motivated me to continue with my pursuit of becoming a robotic surgeon!”
Dr. Athanasios Syllaios
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
“My Laparoscopic and Robotic Colorectal fellowship at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, with Prof Jim Khan and his team, was a cornerstone in my surgical career. It provided valuable exposure to a wide array of robotic colorectal surgery procedures and advanced laparoscopic techniques. All consultants actively engaged me in case discussions, imaging reviews, and management strategies. Participation in multidisciplinary team meetings enhanced my understanding of complex pathologies. The hands-on experience with simulators, the ROBO-CERT course, Portsmouth Colorectal Congress, and observation of live surgeries equipped me with essential skills and knowledge that I will definitely develop and use back home. I highly recommend this fellowship for colorectal surgeons interested in robotic surgery. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn under Prof. Khan and his team, gaining insights into new techniques and patient management in colorectal surgery. A truly enriching experience that I wholeheartedly endorse!”
