ROBOTIC SURGERY | UroConsult

Robotic Surgery

Using robots in the operating room to assist the surgeon in performing surgery. The surgeon views the patient via a terminal and manipulates robotic surgical instruments via a control panel. Views of the organs being worked on are transmitted from tiny cameras inserted into the body.

Such robots are considerably less invasive than normal operating room procedures because the instruments can be inserted into much smaller incisions in the human body. This type of "laparoscopic" surgery means less pain and less scarring, and patients recover much faster.

Since the patient and surgeon are separated by an electronic console, it also enables "telesurgery," which allows the surgeon to perform the operation in a remote location.

What is a robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery. "Minimally invasive" means that instead of operating on patients through large incisions, we use miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through a series of quarter-inch incisions.

Types of Surgery

When lifestyle changes, medicine and other treatments do not ease your symptoms, your Urologist may suggest surgery. Surgery can include:

Open surgery (through one large incision)
Minimally Invasive Surgery (Laparoscopic / Robotic-assisted da Vinci Surgery) - done through a few small incisions

Understanding Robotic Surgery

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive are just two fancy words that mean smaller incisions. These types of surgeries mean shorter hospitalization and faster recovery for patients. Other benefits may be:

Less blood
Less scarring
Reduced risk of infection
Faster return to your life

How does the Robotic Surgical System work?

To operate using the Robotic system, the surgeon makes tiny incisions in your body and inserts miniaturized instruments and a high-definition three-dimensional camera, and sometimes skin incisions are not required at all. Then, from a nearby console, the surgeon manipulates those instruments to perform the operation.

Think of the Robotic system, system like a video game. When you play a video game, you move a control button, and the machine translates your movements into real-time, mimicking your moves precisely on the screen. During a Robotic-assisted procedure, the surgeon uses master controls to manipulate the instruments, and the instruments translate surgeon's movements into precise movements inside your body. The surgeon is in control the whole time; the surgical system responds to the direction he provides.

s a robot operating on me?

We also know many patients are concerned about the idea of a robot performing surgery. You should know that the Robotic Surgical System is really a system that allows the surgeon to make precise, delicate motions while controlling the machine. The robot is never, ever making decisions or performing incisions. Rather, the surgeon is telling the robot what to do, and the robot allows for greater precision than the human hand on its own.

The Robotic system cannot "think" on its own. It only responds to the surgeon's precise hand and finger movements. The surgeon is in the operating room, doing the procedure the entire time.

Robotic Surgery: What to Expect

During a Robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon "directs & does" the surgery from nearby, but does not stand over the like during a traditional surgery. While each surgery is different, here are the general steps to a Robotic-assisted surgery:

1. The surgeon makes tiny (one to two centimeter-long) incisions in your body.
2. The surgeon inserts a miniature robotic instruments and a powerful camera into your body.
3. The surgeon then sits at a nearby console (a large computer) to direct the procedure. At the console, the area of operation can be seen highly magnified, with excellent resolution.
4. Sitting at the console, the surgeon manipulates the controls.
5. The instruments respond to these movements, and translate them into precise, real-time movements inside your body.
6. The robotic devices, which have greater dexterity and range of motion than a human, allow the surgeon to successfully perform delicate surgeries in hard-to-reach places.

What are the benefits of Robotic assisted surgery?

There are many benefits to having a Robotic-assisted surgery. A Robotic-assisted surgery benefits you directly-shorter recovery time-as well as indirectly-the surgeon has better visualization, leading to a more precise surgery. Other benefits:

The surgeon has greater range of motion and dexterity
The surgeon sees a highly-magnified, high-resolution image of the operating field
The surgeon has better access to the area being operated on
Shorter hospital stay
Less risk of infection
Less blood loss and fewer blood transfusions
Less pain
Faster recovery
Quicker return to daily routine
What conditions can be treated with robotic surgery?

Cancers

Prostate cancer
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer
Adrenal cancer

Urologic Conditions

Female incontinence
Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction
Vesicoureteral reflux
Ureteral stricture (obstruction)

Advantages

Surgeons who use the robotic system find that for many procedures it enhances precision, flexibility and control during the operation and allows them to better see the site, compared with traditional techniques. Using robotic surgery, surgeons can perform delicate and complex procedures that may have been difficult or impossible with other methods.

Often, robotic surgery makes minimally invasive surgery possible. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

Fewer complications, such as surgical site infection
Less pain and blood loss
Quicker recovery
Smaller, less noticeable scars

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