Published on 15 July 2026
A grandad was able to walk his daughter down the aisle thanks to pioneering robot surgery as part of his cancer treatment.
Michael Sellars, a 68-year-old retired father of three and grandfather of two had been looking forward to walking his daughter, Emma, down the aisle in Mallorca. Instead, after a routine bowel cancer screening test led to further investigations, he was told he would need an operation before the big day.
Thanks to pioneering robotic surgery at Aintree University Hospital, Michael was able to recover quickly enough to make the three-and-a-half-hour journey just four weeks after his operation.
Michael is the first person in the UK to undergo single-port robotic bowel cancer surgery, a minimally invasive procedure carried out through a single 4cm incision.
The robotic system acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hand, allowing extremely precise surgery while reducing pain and supporting a faster recovery compared with conventional techniques.
For Michael, that meant being declared fit to fly in time to travel abroad and share the special family moment he feared he would miss.
Although the prospect of surgery was daunting, Michael said he had complete faith in the team at Aintree.
Michael said: “I was told the operation would take around four hours, with the right side of my bowel being removed, as this was the area where they had found a suspicious growth.
“Considering the seriousness and complexity of the operation, I’m stunned by how well I have recovered. Within just two weeks of being home, I was going on fairly long walks with my wife and even thinking about going out for lunch in town with friends.”
This is not the first time the colorectal team at Aintree has achieved a surgical first. Six months ago, they became the first in Europe to successfully use robotic surgery to operate on early-stage rectal cancer using a transanal da Vinci access port.
“Having access to state-of-the-art technology, and the skilled surgeons to use it, right here in Liverpool shows just how fortunate we are.
“Most importantly, I would encourage everyone to take up the offer of bowel cancer screening. I had no symptoms at all, and it was only through the routine test that my cancer was found.
“It’s quick, it’s simple, and it could genuinely save your life. If I hadn’t done the test when I was asked to, things could have been very different for me and my family.”
Michael added: “I cannot thank the colorectal team enough. Our whole family will always be incredibly grateful.”