Robotic surgery, also known as robot-assisted surgery, enables doctors to perform a broad range of complex procedures with greater precision, flexibility, and control than traditional techniques. Robotic surgery is commonly associated with minimally invasive surgery performed through small incisions. It is also used in some conventional open surgical procedures.
An Overview of the Procedure
- The most common clinical robotic surgical system consists of a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached.
- The surgeon directs the components from a device console next to the operating table.
- The device displays a high-definition, enlarged 3D view of the surgical site to the surgeon.
- The surgeon leads other members of the team who assist during the operation.
How Does a Robotic Surgical System Operate?
- To use the robotic system, your doctor cuts tiny incisions in your body.
- Small instruments are introduced in the body, and a high-definition three-dimensional camera. However, skin incisions are not always necessary.
- The surgeon then manipulates those instruments from a nearby console to operate.
- Consider the robotic system to be a video game.
- When you play a video game, you move corresponding buttons, and the machine interprets your movements in real time, precisely replicating your moves on the screen.
- During a robotic-assisted process, your surgeon manipulates the instruments using master controls, and the tools translate your surgeon’s movements into high precision inside your body.
- Your surgeon is in complete command throughout the procedure.
What Are the Advantages of Robotic Surgery?
There are numerous advantages to having robotic-assisted surgery. A robotic-assisted surgery benefits you directly (shorter recovery time) and indirectly (better visualization for the surgeon, resulting in a more precise surgery). Other advantages include the following:
- Your surgeon has stronger finesse and flexibility of motion. The robotic arm’s movements are more detailed than those of a human hand. And they have a more comprehensive range of motion. The arms rotate instruments in narrow spaces in ways that would not be possible otherwise.
- Your surgeon sees a high-resolution image of the surgical field that has been highly enlarged.
- Your surgeon has improved access to the part being operated on, which means a shorter hospital stay and a lower chance of infection. The comparatively tiny devices allow surgeons to operate on your body. In contrast, previously, they would have had to make a much larger incision to perform that portion of the surgery outside of your body.
- Fewer blood transfusions and much less blood loss
- Pain is reduced.
- Recovery time is reduced.
- Return to daily routine more quickly.
- Relatively smaller scarring.
What distinguishes robotic surgery from traditional open surgery?
- The techniques used by your surgeon to perform your operation are similar to open surgery.
- The main distinction is how your surgeon enters the surgical site.
- Your surgeon will make small incisions rather than large ones.
- Another difference is that surgical instruments require less space to function. It reduces the need to move your muscle tissue and organs.
What are the drawbacks to robotic surgery?
The following are the disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery:
- Only available in centers with the necessary funding and specially trained surgeons.
- If complications arise, your surgeon may turn to an open procedure with wider incisions. For example, scar tissue from previous surgeries makes it difficult for robotic technology to finish the process.
- Nerve damage and compression are possible.
- Mechanical error, which is pretty uncommon.
What is the recovery from robotic surgery?
The recovery period is much shorter. You may, depending on the procedure and your overall health:
- Get out of bed as soon as the anesthesia wears off.
- Within a couple of hours of surgery, you should be able to eat.
- Return home the same or the day after.
What should I expect when I return home from the hospital?
You’ll be given at-home care instructions tailored to your procedure. They usually consist of the following:
- Rest for a few days or for however long your surgeon recommends.
- Resuming normal daily activities gradually. If you are not taking prescription pain relievers, you can begin driving when ready.
- Lifting anything heavy until you consult your doctor.
- Keep an eye out for signs of infection near your incision site.
- Taking pain or constipation medications.
Conclusion
With robotic-assisted surgery, you can receive advanced treatments with much less downtime. Robotic technology is used by a specially trained surgeon to operate through tiny incisions. Robotic surgery is not suitable for everyone. Discuss the advantages and potential dangers of robotic surgery with your doctor and how it relates to other techniques, such as different types of minimally invasive procedures and traditional open surgery.
