The Future of Surgery with Robotic Technology
What is Robotic Surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery utilizes specialized technology that enhances the capabilities of the surgeon’s hands, allowing surgeons to perform interventions in hard-to-reach areas through small incisions.
This specialized technology also enables precise movements and a clearer image.
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery in which doctors use very small surgical instruments that fit into the patient’s body through a series of small incisions.
When we talk about modern medical technologies, the role of robotic surgery stands out as a tremendous development in the medical world.
This advanced technology is one of the medical innovations that has changed traditional surgical methodologies, combining the precision of a robot with the guidance of a human surgeon.
The robot executes precise movements while the surgeon controls the overall operation, allowing the surgical team to perform exceptionally precise procedures.
Robotic surgery relies on advanced robotic systems that combine computing, engineering, and medicine.
Surgeons use a remote control system to perform surgical operations, allowing precise and stable control over the stages of surgery.
The success of this technology is attributed to advancements in 3D imaging and the development of precise surgical tools.
These tools are mounted on three robotic arms, allowing the surgeon maximum range and precision of movement during the procedure.
The fourth arm holds a high-definition 3D camera that enhances imaging- magnifying tissues and body structures tenfold—and guides the surgeon during the operation.
The robot consists of:
- Surgical arms with small instruments and wrists at the ends.
- A special camera that provides enhanced magnified 3D images of the surgical area.
- A surgical console where the surgeon controls the instruments and camera in every movement.
- Who Performs Robotic Surgery?
- A surgeon who completes training in robotic-assisted surgery performs this type of procedure. Some surgeons follow formal training through fellowships in robotic and minimally invasive surgery.
What are the Types of Robotic-Assisted Surgery?
Robotic surgery is suitable for many types of procedures. It is frequently used by urologists, gynecological surgeons, general surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and colorectal surgeons.
Current types of available robotic procedures include:
- Urological procedures.
- Gynecological surgeries.
- General surgeries.
- Cardiothoracic surgeries.
- Colorectal surgeries.
- Cardiac Surgery.
- Repair of atrial septal defect.
- Removal of heart tumor.
- Mitral valve repair.
- Tricuspid valve repair.
- Gastrointestinal Surgery.
- Colon resection.
- Rectal resection.
- Gastrectomy.
- Pancreatectomy.
- General Surgery.
- Appendectomy.
- Cholecystectomy.
- Hernia removal.
- Gynecological Surgery
- Endometrial ablation.
- Hysterectomy.
- Pelvic organ prolapse repair.
- Thoracic Surgery.
- Lung resection.
- Thymectomy.
- Urological Surgery.
- Cystectomy.
- Partial nephrectomy.
- Radical prostatectomy.
How Robotic Surgery Differs from Traditional Open Surgery?
The techniques a surgeon uses to perform a robotic procedure are similar to those used in open surgery. The main difference is how the surgeon accesses the surgical site.
Instead of making large incisions, the surgeon makes small incisions. Another difference is that the surgical tools require less space to work. This limits the need to push aside muscle tissues and organs.
First, the surgeon makes one or more small incisions.
Through these incisions, the surgeon places ports (thin tubes). The robot is connected to these ports, and tools are inserted through them.
A thin, long camera (endoscope) is inserted through one of the ports. The camera provides high-definition 3D images during the surgery.
Surgical tools are placed through the other ports, allowing the surgeon to perform the procedure.
The surgeon controls the robotic arms while sitting at a console a few feet away from you.
An assistant stays by your side to help the surgeon by changing tools as needed.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
One of the main advantages is that the surgery can be performed through smaller incisions. Other benefits of robotic surgery include:
Greater Precision: The movements of the robotic arms are more precise than the human hand and have a greater range of motion. The arms can rotate instruments in tight spaces in ways that are impossible with human hands.
Better Imaging: The advanced camera provides magnified, high-definition views of the surgical area. It also has 3D imaging capabilities that surpass the naked eye.
Ability to Perform Surgery Inside the Body: The small instruments allow surgeons to perform parts of the procedure inside your body when traditionally they would have to make a much larger incision to perform this part outside your body.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
With robot-assisted surgery, you may experience:
- Less pain during the recovery period.
- Reduced risk of infection.
- Decreased blood loss.
- Shorter hospital stays.
- Smaller scars.
Disadvantages of Robotic Surgery
Disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery include:
- Availability is limited to medical centers that can afford the technology and have specially trained surgeons.
- The surgeon may need to switch to open surgery with larger incisions if complications arise. These complications include scar tissue from previous surgeries that make it difficult for robotic technology to complete the procedure.
- Risk of nerve damage and pressure.
- Mechanical failure, which is very rare.
- Recovery Period from Robotic Surgery
Depending on the type of procedure and your overall health, you can:
- Get out of bed shortly after the anesthesia wears off.
- Be able to eat within a few hours of surgery.
- Go home the same day or the next day.
Use of Robots in Knee Joint Replacement Surgery
With robotic technology in knee replacement, the robotic system enables partial knee replacement by targeting the damaged part of the cartilage without affecting the surrounding healthy tissues and ligaments.
Knee Joint Replacement Surgery
The surgeon gathers precise information about the knee anatomy using a handheld robot from modern robotic technology, enabling them to create a patient-specific 3D model.
This information helps in optimally positioning the artificial knee joint, enhancing the natural feel and comfort of the knee.
This approach is less reliant on CT scans, which can extend the operation time and increase the patient’s exposure to unnecessary radiation.
If the patient is unable to control knee pain and does not respond to other treatments, total knee replacement is considered an ideal option.
This type of surgery begins with determining the patient’s anatomical structure, where the affected part of the knee bone is removed and the artificial joint components are precisely fitted to match the natural knee structure.
Treatment of Kidney Cancer with Robotic Surgery
In the treatment of kidney cancer with robotic surgery, this technology offers significant advancements in performing operations accurately and efficiently.
The tissues in the application area can be magnified with the help of the camera, allowing the surgeon to conduct more efficient examinations.
Robotic radical nephrectomy (complete removal of the kidney) and robotic partial nephrectomy (removal of the tumor only while preserving the kidney) are common methods for treating kidney cancer in recent years.
In the case of robotic radical nephrectomy, the entire kidney is removed, a procedure usually used in advanced stages of kidney cancer.
This approach is characterized by a lack of risk of intestinal problems, and it features a less painful and more comfortable recovery period, enabling the patient to return to daily life quickly.
In the case of robotic partial nephrectomy, the kidney is preserved and only the tumor is removed.
This approach is typically used for small tumors or in younger patients and can be applied in cases of tumor formation in both kidneys. This procedure offers another option for patients and improves recovery prognosis and quality of life after surgery.
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