Robotic Surgery: How It Works
To operate using the Robotic system, your 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, your surgeon manipulates these 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, your surgeon uses master controls to manipulate the instruments, and the instruments translate
your surgeon’s movements into precise movements inside your body. Your surgeon is in control the whole time; the surgical system responds to the direction he provides.
Robotic Surgery: What To Expect
During a Robotic-assisted surgery, your surgeon “directs” the surgery from nearby, but does not stand over you like during a traditional surgery. While each surgery is different, here are the general steps to a Robotic-assisted surgery:
- Your surgeon makes tiny (one to two centimeter-long) incisions in your body.
- Your doctor inserts a miniature robotic instruments and a powerful camera into your body.
- Your 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.
- Sitting at the console, your surgeon manipulates the controls.
- The instruments respond to these movements, and translate them into precise, real-time movements inside your body.
- The robotic devices, which have greater dexterity and range of motion than a human, allow your 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:
● Your surgeon has greater range of motion and dexterity
● Your surgeon sees a highly-magnified, high-resolution image of the operating field
● Your 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