A six-year-old boy from Blackheath is one of the first to be operated on using a new innovative medical device during keyhole surgery

Surgeons at Evelina London Children’s Hospital have become the first in the UK to use the new device.

The surgical instrument, known as FlexDex, was used during keyhole surgery to unblock the kidney of a patient with a condition called hydronephrosis, where one or both kidneys become swollen.

Keyhole surgery is a type of surgical procedure that allows surgeons to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without making large incisions.

The surgery was performed on Alexander Pasek, 6, from Blackheath, at the end of last year.

He was diagnosed with hydronephrosis in July 2018 after it was detected by chance when he was hospitalised in Poland with another medical condition.

Alexander’s mother, Estera, said: “We were very surprised when we found out Alexander had hydronephrosis as he had no symptoms. Thankfully the condition was diagnosed in good time and is now being treated.

“Alexander’s recovery has been fantastic. He spent three days in hospital after the operation, but he recovered very quickly. He had his energy back by the time he was discharged and was fully back to playing and running around a week after the surgery.

“The doctors have been very impressed by how well he has recovered. Tests show that his kidney is currently functioning normally, which is really great news.”

Evelina London is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

The hospital was founded in 1869 as Evelina Hospital for Sick Children by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, whose wife, Evelina, died along with their baby in childbirth.

Massimo Garriboli, consultant paediatric urologist at Evelina London, who performed the operation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the first hospital in the UK to use the FlexDex device during kidney keyhole surgery on a child.

“The FlexDex device is at the cutting edge of surgical innovations as it enables surgeons to have much better control and flexibility when performing keyhole surgery.

“This means that the procedure is less invasive and more efficient than other traditional methods, which reduces tissue damage and scarring and aids the patient’s recovery."

To find out how Evelina London will be celebrating its special birthday, visit www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/150