Back running just eight weeks after major cancer surgery: Brian Lenihan’s remarkable recovery at St. Vincent’s University Hospital

27th October 2026

Marathon runner Brian Lenihan is among the first patients in Ireland to undergo a fully robotic neobladder procedure, performed by Consultant Urological Surgeon Dr Nikita Bhatt and her team at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

Two months after an eight-hour operation to remove his bladder, Brian Lenihan put on his runners and headed out for a run.

For a man who has completed 13 marathons, running was familiar territory. But this time was different.

Just months earlier, Brian had been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

The diagnosis came in July 2025, after he noticed blood in his urine. Brian, a competitive runner who had completed the Dublin Marathon in an impressive two hours and 32 minutes, began chemotherapy and immunotherapy that September.

In January 2026, he underwent a highly specialised operation at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), led by Consultant Urological Surgeon Dr Nikita Bhatt.

Brian was among the first patients in Ireland to have a fully robotic neobladder procedure. The surgery involved removing his bladder and creating a new internal reservoir using a section of his intestine, allowing him to pass urine without an external collection bag.

Traditionally, this type of complex reconstruction has been performed through open surgery. Using robotic techniques, surgeons can perform the procedure through small incisions, offering suitable patients the potential for a quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Dr Bhatt has performed three fully robotic neobladder procedures at SVUH so far this year, with a fourth planned for November.

Dr Nikita Bhatt, Consultant Urological Surgeon at SVUH, said:

“Removing someone’s bladder is major surgery and how they live afterwards matters enormously. Being able to offer suitable patients a neobladder and to carry out the entire procedure robotically, gives us another way to help people recover and get back to their lives.

Brian has done exceptionally well. Seeing him running again just two months after surgery was fantastic. When you’ve looked after someone through cancer treatment and a complex operation, hearing that they’re back doing something they love is incredibly rewarding. That’s what makes this work so worthwhile.”

Recovering at home, with hospital care close by

After eight days in hospital, Brian was able to return home, supported by SVUH’s Virtual Ward team.

Using an iPad to record his vital signs twice daily, he remained in regular contact with the clinical team, who monitored his recovery remotely.

For Brian, being able to sleep in his own bed and recover at home made a real difference.

Brian said:

“When I heard I had bladder cancer, I was in complete shock. You immediately start wondering what it means for your future and whether life will ever be the same again.

Running has always been a huge part of my life, so getting back out there just two months after surgery meant a lot to me. I’m incredibly grateful to Nikita and everyone at St. Vincent’s who looked after me. Being able to recover at home, knowing the Virtual Ward team was checking on me, was a great help too.

I’m still building my fitness back up but I’m getting there. I’ve every intention of running another marathon!“

Pauline McGrath, Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent’s University Hospital, said:

“When I hear stories like Brian’s, I think about the people behind his recovery. Nikita and her colleagues are performing highly complex surgery and our Virtual Ward team is helping patients continue their recovery safely at home. It’s wonderful to see what their work has meant for Brian.

I’m enormously proud of the expertise we have here at St. Vincent’s and of the care our teams give to patients every day. Advances in treatment are important, of course, but seeing someone get back to their family, their interests and the life they enjoy is what makes this so special.”

Brian had hoped to take part in the Dublin Marathon at the weekend but decided to give himself more time to regain his competitive fitness.

Completing the distance isn’t his concern. He wants to run it well.

And with 13 marathons already behind him, he’s looking forward to number 14.

Brian shared his experience with Shauna Bowers in The Irish Times on 26th October 2026. Read the full feature.