What is robotic surgery?

Robot-assisted surgery uses specialized technology that enhances the capabilities of your surgeon’s hands. It allows surgeons to perform procedures in hard-to-reach areas through small incisions. The specialized technology also enables precise movements and enhanced magnification.

The technology consists of:

  • Surgical arms with tiny instruments with wrists at the tip.
  • A special camera that provides enhanced magnified 3D views of the surgical area.
  • Surgical console where the surgeon controls the instrument and camera’s every move.

Who performs robotic surgery?

A surgeon who completes training in robotic-assisted surgery performs this type of procedure. Some surgeons pursue formal training through minimally invasive and robotic surgery fellowships.

What types of robotic-assisted surgery are available?

Robotic surgery is appropriate for many types of procedures. It’s frequently used by urologists, gynecologic surgeons, general surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and colorectal surgeons.

Types of robotic procedures currently available include:

Gastrointestinal surgery

  • Colectomy.
  • Proctectomy.
  • Gastrectomy.
  • Pancreatectomy.
  • Gastric bypass.
  • General surgery

General surgery

  • Appendectomy.
  • Gallbladder removal.
  • Hernia repair.
  • Gynecologic surgery

Gynecologic surgery

  • Endometriosis resection.
  • Hysterectomy.
  • Pelvic organ prolapse repair.
  • Thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery

  • Lung resection.
  • Mediastinal mass reduction.
  • Thymectomy.
  • Urologic surgery

Urologic surgery

  • Cystectomy.
  • Partial nephrectomy.
  • Radical prostatectomy.
  • Sural nerve graft.

How is robotic surgery different from traditional, open surgery?

The techniques your surgeon uses to carry out your procedure are similar to open surgery. The main difference is how your surgeon accesses the surgical site. Instead of large incisions, your surgeon makes small incisions. Another difference is that the surgical instruments need less space to do their job. This limits the need to push your muscle tissue and organs out of the way.

What happens during robotic surgery?

  • First, your surgeon makes one or more small incisions.
  • Through these incisions, your surgeon places ports (thin tubes). The robot is attached to these ports and instruments are then placed through them.
  • A long thin camera (endoscope) is placed through one of the ports. The camera provides high-definition images in 3D during the surgery.
  • Surgical instruments are placed through the other ports, which allows the surgeon to do the operation.
  • Your surgeon controls the robotic arm while sitting at a console a few feet away from you.
  • An assistant stays next to you to help the surgeon by changing the instruments when needed.

What are the advantages of robotic surgery?

One of the main advantages is that it enables surgery through smaller incisions.

Other advantages of robotic surgery include:

  • Greater precision: The robotic arm’s movements are more exact than a human hand. And their range of motion is greater. The arms rotate instruments in tight spaces in ways that aren’t otherwise possible.
  • Better visualization: A sophisticated camera provides magnified, high-definition views of the surgical area. It also has 3D capabilities for imaging that are superior to the naked eye.
  • Ability to do surgery inside the body: The small instruments allow surgeons to perform steps of the operation inside your body when traditionally, they would have had to make a much larger incision to do that part of the procedure outside of your body.

What are the disadvantages of robotic surgery?

Disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery are:

  • Only available in centers that can afford the technology and have specially trained surgeons.
  • Your surgeon may need to convert to an open procedure with larger incisions if there are complications. These include scar tissue from previous surgeries that make it difficult for robotic technology to complete the procedure.
  • Risk of nerve damage and compression.
  • Robotic malfunction, which is extremely rare.

What is recovery from robotic surgery like?

Recovery is much shorter. Depending on the procedure type and your overall health, you may:

  • Get out of bed shortly after anesthesia wears off.
  • Be able to eat within a few hours of surgery.
  • Go home the same day or next day.

What are common myths about robotic surgery?

  • Myth: The robot performs the procedure.
  • Reality: Robotic surgical technology can’t move on its own. Surgeons are in control at all times. There are safety mechanisms in place to ensure the robot doesn’t move without the surgeon controlling it.
  • Myth: Robots are so precise that I don’t have to worry about complications.
  • Reality: Robotic-assisted surgery lowers the risk of certain complications. But they’re still possible.
  • Myth: Open surgery is better because the surgeon has a direct view of the surgical area.
  • Reality: With robot-assisted technology, surgeons have an enhanced view. A camera provides real-time, high-resolution, magnified images with 3D capabilities.