Benefits Of Robotic-Assisted Surgery vs Traditional Surgery

A robotic-assisted surgery is a surgery performed with the help of a robot. The surgeon attaches small surgical instruments to a robotic arm and controls the arm with the use of a computer. Robotic surgery helps the surgeon to perform complex procedures through tiny incisions. Such a surgery supports flexibility, precision, and control during delicate procedures that may be difficult to conduct otherwise.

How Robotic-Assisted Surgery is Performed?

The surgeon attaches tiny surgical instruments and a high-definition three-dimensional camera which the surgeon directs via a computer station. The computer translates the surgeon's movements to the robotic arm. The robotic arm matches the surgeon's arm movements and performs the procedure through smaller incisions with precision near 100%.

Why Robotic-Assisted Surgery is Preferred?

Surgeons favor robotic surgery due to its ability to provide precise and flexible options when performing intricate and complex procedures with minimal invasiveness, resulting in reduced operating time, decreased blood loss, fewer postoperative infections, and early recovery.

The surgeons can view the area being operated upon through the high-definition camera. They can also maneuver comfortably during the surgery and access difficult to reach areas. The surgical cuts are small, and the surgery requires a shorter hospital stay.

Robotic-assisted surgery is safe. The surgeons performing the surgery are highly trained through educational programmes. While robotic surgery is not ideal for everyone, the doctor decides whether it is the right option for the patient.

Types of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery is ideal for several procedures. General surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, gynecologic surgeons, urologists, and colorectal surgeons often opt for robotic-assisted surgery.

Here are the different types of robotic surgeries:

Heart Surgery

The robotic heart surgery is a safe option that provides the least trauma, reduces the size of the incision, helps harvest better quality conduits, and a couple of open heart surgeries are now being done with care such as ASD closure, and valve replacement.

Beating heart procedures can also be performed such as Robotic assisted LIMA, RIMA take down, and coronary anastomosis .

Robotic Surgery is a boon to such a vital organ as the heart. 

Gastrointestinal Surgery

A gastrointestinal robotic-assisted surgery helps surgeons perform complex surgeries around the chest and the abdomen. This advanced surgical approach is particularly beneficial for conditions necessitating gallbladder removal, as well as addressing hiatal hernias and associated oesophageal reflux.

General Surgery

Several general surgical procedures, such as appendectomy, gall bladder removal, hernia repair, gastrectomy, splenectomy, and small bowel resection, are conducted using robotic-assisted surgery. The robotic arms play a crucial role in facilitating surgical access through small incisions and mitigating the effects of tremors, ensuring improved precision for the surgeon.

Gynaecologic Surgery

Compared to open surgery, where a large incision is made in the abdomen to access the uterus, robotic-assisted surgery is a better alternative for women. Some gynecologic procedures requiring robotic surgery are laparoscopic hysterectomy, the removal of uterine fibroids or myomectomy, and sacrocolpopexy to repair pelvic organ prolapse.
To Know more about Robotic Surgery in Uterine Cancer: Advancements and Benefits

Thoracic Surgery

Robotic thoracic surgery is performed for some cases of lung cancer, mediastinal surgeries such as removal of the thymus. The camera attached to the robotic arm allows the surgeon to get a magnified view without the need to open up the chest or spread out the ribs, reducing early return to day to day activities. Better delineation of the deceased tissue, and precise cutting of healthy vital organs, safeguarding healthy tissue.

Urologic Surgery

A urologic surgery requires greater precision as the pelvic region is packed with a dense network of veins, arteries, and organs. Robotic urologic surgery helps the surgeon perform the surgery through tiny incisions. The robotic arm has precise movements that conduct the surgery with finesse, reaching those areas where the surgeon would not be able to reach with bare hands and thus avoiding trauma to other organs in the penis. With the assistance of robotic instruments, urologic surgeons can precisely operate on various conditions, such as prostate cancer, kidney disorders, bladder tumors, and urinary tract obstructions.

Advantages of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Besides smaller incisions and faster recovery, robotic surgery has several other advantages. These are:

• Precise surgeries increased the range of motion.

• Smaller incisions with early recovery and early reintroduction in his/her day to day activities.

• Less tissue damage, faster healing.

• Less blood loss

• Shorter hospital stay and faster return to normal.

• Reduced postoperative pain and less medication as no big incision, No need to spread final cautious.

How is Robotic Surgery Different From Traditional or Open Surgery?

Robotic surgery is slightly more expensive compared to traditional or open surgery.

The Surgical principles used in robotic surgery shares similarities with traditional surgery, but the key difference lies in how the surgeon accesses the surgical area.

In robotic surgery, the surgeon creates smaller incisions compared to the larger ones made in open surgery. The use of a high-definition camera, known as an endoscope, allows for clear visualization of the organ, while thin and flexible instruments can easily reach challenging anatomical locations.

Unlike in traditional surgery, the smaller incisions in robotic-assisted surgery do not necessitate the surgeon pushing muscle tissue and other organs aside to perform the procedure.

As robotic surgery is slightly more expensive than traditional due to the use of a costly sophisticated gadget which in turn helps to deliver way more benefits than the conventional approach.

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted surgery surpasses traditional surgery with its precision, minimal blood loss, reduced pain, and lower infection rates. Despite potential higher costs, the undeniable advantages in surgical outcomes and patient recovery make it a compelling choice. Ultimately, healthcare professionals evaluate factors such as the patient's condition, available technology, and surgical expertise to determine the optimal approach. Robotic-assisted surgery signifies a significant advancement, promising improved outcomes and an efficient surgical experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any risks or disadvantages of robotic surgery compared to traditional surgery?

Robotic surgery has a few disadvantages. These are:

• It is available at only some hospitals with specially trained surgeons and the necessary technology.

• If any complications arise during surgery, the surgeon may have to conduct an open surgery.

• Robotic surgery may cause damage to the nerves.

2. Is robotic surgery more expensive than traditional surgery?

Robotic surgery is slightly more expensive than traditional surgery as the instruments and the accessories used during a procedure are costlier than the ones used in traditional surgery. The robotic surgery cost in India varies depending on factors such as the city, hospital, and the specific type of surgery.

3. How is the recovery time for robotic surgery compared to traditional surgery?

While traditional surgery requires a long hospital stay and a recovery time of several months, robotic surgery requires a lesser recovery time of as little as two to three weeks. This is due to the minimal invasion and less blood loss, pain, and infection.

4. In what types of surgeries is robotic surgery typically used instead of traditional surgery?

Robotic surgery is used for its precision and accuracy in gynecologic surgeries, prostate surgery, colorectal surgery, thoracic surgery and endometriosis. It is also used in certain heart procedures, such as coronary artery bypass, valve surgery, cardiac tissue ablation, heart defect repair, and the removal of tumors.

5. Is robotic surgery more invasive than traditional surgery?

Robotic-assisted surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery as it employs small surgical instruments that make small incisions than the ones used in traditional surgery. This minimizes blood loss and reduces the risk of infection.