Vicky Maertens

Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Vicky Maertens is a pioneering colorectal surgeon whose research is reshaping the landscape of minimally invasive surgery, particularly in high-risk and emergency settings. Her work focuses on the application of robotic surgery for complex colorectal pathologies, including transverse colon cancer and emergency cases. Dr. Maertens’ major contributions include demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of robotic approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, where her 2022 case series (16 citations) highlighted how robotic systems could minimize viral exposure by distancing the surgeon from the patient. She has also advanced surgical technique by introducing the novel use of intra-operative robotic ultrasound (rUSS) to improve vascular dissection during complete mesocolic excision (CME) in obese patients, a procedure cited 10 times for its innovation in overcoming anatomical challenges. Her comparative studies on oncological outcomes (11 citations) provide critical evidence that robotic colectomy can match or surpass laparoscopic and open approaches for transverse colon tumors. Dr. Maertens’ work is notable for pushing the boundaries of robotic surgery into traditionally avoided territories—emergency and high-BMI patients—offering safer, more precise options where conventional laparoscopy struggles. Her research is essential reading for surgeons seeking to expand the role of robotics in colorectal care.