As a colorectal surgeon specialising in robotics and digital surgery, Prof. Deena Harji was appointed to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to expand and develop multiplatform, multispeciality robotic and digital surgery services. Prof Harji and her team have identified several areas which can be improved by utilising digital technologies, for patient and educational benefit.

Deena is currently running a pilot study with Johnson & Johnson around the utility of smart glasses technology in optimising the opportunities for surgical training using  Rods&Cones technology in her clinical practice. We spoke to Prof. Harij to find out more about how she uses Rods&Cones to help improve surgical training and patient outcomes.

A surgeon’s experience of using Rods&Cones

“The key strength of Rods&Cones is centred around its portability and accessibility, which democratises its use. The introduction of this technology has been positively received by trainees, Consultant colleagues and theatre staff.”

– Prof. Deena Harji, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon,

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Deena believes that surgical training should be made more accessible, and more objective. Recently, she used Rods&Cones to share a complex pelvic exenteration for a patient with locally recurrent cancer. Pelvic exenteration requires careful and meticulous pre-operative, multidisciplinary planning. The additional use of Rods&Cones in this setting allows the real-time, intra-operative capture of advanced surgical techniques.

Deena is a keen proponent of using Rods&Cones for increasing opportunities for surgical training and enhancing the experience. She has set-up dedicated, day case surgical training lists with remote supervision using Rods&Cones. This allows for the security of remote supervision, whilst facilitating a feeling of independent surgical practice in trainees. With the trainee wearing Rods&Cones, she was able to offer guidance and support, when needed, from a remote location. The technology allowed effective two-way communication.

Using Rods&Cones for surgical training

“Rods&Cones promotes an empowering training environment, which allows the development of a range of technical and non-technical skills, whilst maintaining patient safety.”

– Prof. Deena Harji, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon,

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The global pandemic has had a huge impact on surgical training, with many missed opportunities. Despite elective surgical recovery being prioritised, surgical training opportunities continue to lag behind. Remote surgical assistance technology has the potential to transform this, whilst developing key non-technical skills, including, communication, decision-making and leadership within the OR.

As a trainer, it’s important to empower trainees to develop these key skills. Rods&Cones is a safe way to do this and provides oversight and support for the trainee and the extended surgical team. It fosters an environment conducive to surgical training whilst maintaining patient safety.

The benefits of Rods&Cones technology

Rods&Cones allows for digital collaboration and connection, acquisition of new skills, and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer. It represents a shift into the era of Surgery 4.0 whereby digital technologies will be used to improve the delivery of surgical care and surgical training.

The importance of portability in remote surgery

To ensure the widespread adoption of digital technology solutions in surgery requires accessibility, ease of use and added value. Rods&Cones fulfils this brief, its portability and ease of set up, makes it readily accessible to all. This makes it invaluable when connecting operating theatres in a digital space.

Surgery 4.0 Rods&Cones technology

We are very much entering the digital era of surgery and healthcare. The digitisation of surgery will lead to a data-driven healthcare system, providing performance metrics and objectivity. The utility of Rods&Cones is still being explored, however it shows great promise and value in enhancing patient care and surgical training.

Interested to see Rods&Cones in action? Book a demo.