Park Royal Surgeon Wears Exoskeleton During Operation
Becomes first to use new technology designed to reduce strain
Mr Kapil Sahnan having the device fitted
February 5, 2026
A surgeon at a hospital in Park Royal has become the first to carry out an operation while wearing an exoskeleton designed to reduce physical strain during long procedures.
Mr Kapil Sahnan, a colorectal surgeon at St Mark’s National Bowel Hospital, used the device during a seven-hour operation on a patient with inflammatory bowel disease. The lightweight suit, worn over surgical scrubs, is intended to support the arms, shoulders and upper body, helping surgeons maintain posture and reduce fatigue.
Mr Sahnan said long operations can take a physical toll. “Surgery can be physically very demanding, especially during longer procedures, which can last many hours,” he said. “Being hunched over an operating table is not great for your posture, so this is a welcome piece of kit for surgeons.”
Before the operation, specialists from Stanley, the company supplying the equipment, assessed his movement using an app designed to analyse posture and strain. They recommended the Hapo Front exoskeleton, which uses adjustable straps across the back, shoulders and arms to support the musculoskeletal system while allowing full freedom of movement.
Mr Sahnan said the device did not interfere with the precision required in surgery. “It’s very good because you can maintain the dexterity of your hands while performing surgery,” he said. “It is surprisingly easy to put on and adjust, and it is certainly something I will be using again. We’re a specialised hospital with a small niche workforce, so we can't afford to have surgeons going off sick with issues like muscular disorders, which is a common side effect of the profession.”
The operation involved removing an ileoanal pouch for a patient who had undergone multiple previous surgeries.
Mr Sahnan, recently appointed Director of Innovation at St Mark’s, said the hospital intends to continue exploring new technologies that support both staff and patients. “We are a small hospital with a long history of innovation regarding bowel disease, so we should pay tribute to our predecessors by continuing to push forward,” he said.
Graham Sharp, managing director of Stanley, said the trial showed how wearable technology could support clinical teams. “The fantastic feedback from Mr Sahnan and his team demonstrates how exoskeleton technology is supporting the profession, particularly during lengthy operations,” he said. He added that AI-powered wearable devices are increasingly being adopted across healthcare and could become standard equipment in operating theatres in the future.
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