Robotic surgery is generally considered minimally invasive, with smaller incisions and reduced risks of bleeding or pain. Furthermore, robotic procedures enable surgeons to focus more during procedures since fewer movements are necessary during operations.
Under robotic surgery at NYU Langone, surgeons sit at a console in the operating room and operate robotic arms equipped with surgical tools. A three-dimensional monitor provides them with real-time image of a patient’s anatomy for use during procedures.
Minimally Invasive
Minimally invasive surgery has the potential to reduce damage, hospital stays and risks of complications more significantly than open surgery. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques utilize smaller incisions for accessing surgical sites; with robot-assisted surgeries having three dimensional views of surgical sites and instruments providing greater precision, flexibility and control during procedures.
Minimally invasive robotic surgery entails your doctor making one or more small incisions (usually around one inch long) in order to insert the robotic arms and camera. Surgeons then operate from a console in the operating room using mechanical arms of the robot to perform surgery.
The da Vinci surgical system features special “arms” for holding instruments and cameras, plus a computer console from which your surgeon operates the system. It offers greater range of movements than traditional laparoscopy; each robotic wrist of each instrument offers seven degrees of motion compared to four for laparoscopic instruments.
Surgeons at NIH have pioneered robot-assisted surgery for several conditions, such as cancer of the foregut (such as esophagus, stomach and diaphragm) and kidneys. Our doctors also use robot-assisted procedures to treat gynecological cancers, gallbladder cancers, pancreatic cancers, urologic diseases, hepatobiliary diseases and certain abdominal tumors.
Many patients can be uncomfortable about having their surgeries conducted with machines like robots. It is essential that patients realize the robot doesn’t make decisions or perform incisions on its own; rather, it responds precisely to your surgeon’s hand and finger movements.
Temple Health offers an extensive array of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Our highly qualified surgeons specialize in laparoscopic, robotic, and other cutting-edge methods of surgery for each condition imaginable – and their teams offer compassionate care while producing excellent outcomes even in complex cases.
Closed
Recent advances in surgical robotics include small, closed systems that utilize similar technology as traditional systems but do not pivot around their insertion trocar. This enables surgeons to move instruments more easily, possibly reducing inadvertent nicking or puncturing risks and costs associated with master-slave type robots that must physically connected to surgeons.
These newer systems offer open and laparoscopic surgery capabilities as well as advanced gynecologic procedures, such as robotic hysteroscopy. Unfortunately, these advanced technologies are not widely utilized due to their higher costs of ownership.
Closed robotic surgery offers patients several advantages over open surgery procedures, including reduced trauma and blood loss during their procedure, which leads to shorter recovery periods and hospital stays as well as cost reduction and faster return to everyday activities.
Robotic surgery relies on a tiny camera implanted within your body transmitting real-time images back to a surgeon seated at a console, who then operates robotic arms more precisely than can be achieved using only their hands alone. They may even use robot hands as “feelers” to feel for delicate tissues and reduce any chance of inadvertent injury to surrounding tissue.
Robotic surgery offers several advantages over open surgery procedures, including smaller incisions that result in less post-op pain and scarring as well as its less invasive nature allowing surgeons to access parts of the body that would be difficult to reach through longer incisions.
Summerlin Health physicians often utilize minimally invasive surgery for gallbladder removal using robotic technology known as da Vinci Xi surgical system to complete this operation with only one incision required through the navel (belly button).
Though robotic surgery is generally safer than its conventional counterparts, it still carries risks that must be carefully considered before having it performed. Complications may arise and recovery times could be longer; to make an informed decision before having robotic surgery performed it’s essential that you discuss this procedure with your physician first.
Open
Surgeons sometimes opt for open surgery over robotic procedures when their patients have specific needs, such as hernia or gallbladder issues. Open procedures make it easier for surgeons to reach areas without risking injury to nearby organs; other surgical procedures require specific anatomy which makes robotic techniques more complex or can’t even be performed at all.
As a patient, it’s essential that you discuss all available options with your physician and consider all potential risks when making decisions about robotic surgery. Although most individuals benefit from it, you should remain aware of what to expect so as to make an informed decision.
Robot-assisted surgery entails your surgeon using a console to maneuver a robot equipped with arms featuring surgical tools attached, a long, thin camera for real-time 3D imaging and endoscope insertion into ports in your abdomen for real-time 3D imagery. Your surgeon views these images on an operating room monitor before attaching additional instruments through these ports if needed.
At a console several feet from you, a surgeon controls a robot with the aid of a computer and guides its procedures through small cuts made into your skin to insert ports through which he or she inserts an endoscope and surgical instruments belonging to robot.
As these procedures are minimally invasive, you will experience less discomfort during and after surgery, and recover more quickly than with more invasive traditional surgeries. As a bonus, they also tend to require less hospital stays.
However, complications may arise during robotic surgery that force surgeons to resort to more invasive approaches. According to studies of gynecologic and prostate surgery procedures, this occurred up to 8 percent of the time while 4 percent happened with gastrointestinal surgeries.
Versatile
Patients may find it unnerving to think of an impersonal robot performing surgery on them; however, robotic systems have greater precision than most humans can, making them an invaluable surgical tool that helps surgeons make faster, more accurate decisions during procedures. Robotic surgery has even made its debut in some hospitals worldwide!
At present, surgical robotic systems can be divided into two broad categories: specialized and versatile systems. While specialized systems support specific tasks for specific surgical disciplines, versatile ones have multiple uses and functions and may be suitable for various disciplines. Unfortunately, due to the diverse offerings on the market it can be challenging comparing performance, functionality and usability across solutions.
Beijing Surgerii Technology has long been dedicated to developing next-generation surgical robotic systems with multi-port and single-port access, giving surgeons greater versatility for meeting varied clinical needs. Single port access is less invasive, while multi port allows surgeons to work on larger areas of tissue. A continuously curving manipulator inspired by snake or elephant trunks ensures maximum maneuverability even in limited operating rooms.
Combining flexible camera system and various accessories allows the surgical team to perform a wide variety of procedures, from abdominal surgeries (hysterectomies and gallbladder removals) to laparoscopic lung surgery and tonsilllectomies without incisions – potentially significantly decreasing postoperative pain, hospital stay duration and recovery time. This versatility can significantly cut costs.
The da Vinci Xi surgical system is the latest version of this advanced technology. Its wrist design mimics human hand movement for greater stability and accuracy during delicate operations, providing better stability and accuracy than other systems. Furthermore, its wide variety of procedures means more patients can be treated and more accurate outcomes are delivered than through any other means.
Richmond University Medical Center provides several different kinds of robotic surgery procedures, from laparoscopic surgeries to bariatric (weight loss) procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Our highly-skilled robotic surgeons have received extensive training in these techniques for optimal patient results and comfort.
