Australian first kidney surgery on Quakers Hill’s Katie Steele used $4m robot

QUAKERS Hill woman Katie Steele is the recipient of Australia’s first robotic kidney transplant.

Katie Steele, from Quakers Hill, received Australia's first robotic kidney transplant

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A QUAKERS Hill woman is the recipient of Australia’s first robotic kidney transplant.

Katie Steele, 33, said she has recovered well from the surgery in June and would be forever grateful for the transplant, led by Westmead Hospital urologist and transplant surgeon Professor Howard Lau.

The surgery used a $4 million robot.

“It’s a major technical advancement that will provide less invasive surgery and reduces the incision size, results in less pain and faster recovery,” Dr Lau said. “Precision and speed has also been dramatically improved.”

Ms Steele said she was nervous about being the first in Australia to undergo the surgery but she had faith in Dr Lau. “I knew he’d be the best person to lead the surgery,’’ she said.

Her surgery was required after a complication from bowel surgery last year.

“I had bowel surgery last year, so compared to that the recovery was a lot better,’’ she said.

The surgery was conducted by a medical team from Westmead Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital.

Dr Lau said it was great to combine the resources of the public and private hospital.