22 October 2020

Frimley Health patients with bladder tumours can now have them removed in a quick and simple outpatient procedure – with no need for general anaesthetic or an overnight stay in hospital.

The state-of-the-art laser treatment enables patients to be in and out of hospital in around 40 minutes.

Previously, the removal of bladder tumours would have involved an hour and a half of theatre time plus pre-operative assessments, general anaesthesia and at least one night in hospital.

Under the new procedure, called transurethral laser ablation (TULA), the laser fibre is passed via a flexible small cystoscope into the bladder to blast tumours away.

As this is an outpatient procedure, it means patients do not need to be tested for Covid-19 and self-isolate for two weeks — both mandatory measures before elective surgery — or even stop taking medication for other conditions, including anticoagulants.

Consultant urologist Mr Samer Jallad said: “We are delighted that we can now deliver this effective treatment for our patients with bladder tumours.

“It is very practical because it can be done in an outpatient setting, it’s safer because it doesn’t require general anaesthetic, and it’s time-saving for patients and the Trust.”

The procedure takes place in the urology unit at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.

The Leonardo® Mini laser was purchased following Frimley Health’s CEO Change Challenge – a Dragons’ Den-style competition designed to bring to life great ideas from the front line that would improve patient care.