Robotic surgery using the
da Vinci® Robot
Minimally invasive surgery has made great advances in the last few years.
Introduction of the da Vinci® robot system has allowed one to
perform complex colon and rectal surgery through tiny incisions. The minimally
invasive robotic surgery for colon and rectum can be done for cancerous
and non cancerous diseases.
Robotic surgery has tremendous advantages over open and conventional
laparoscopic surgery. The robot allows for a 3-D view of the surgical
fields and also magnification of the operative field. This allows
more precise dissection since the different layers are so easily visualized.
Major structures are also easily seen, even compared to the naked eye in
open operations. The other advantage, is the tips of the operating instruments,
which behave like the wrists of your hand allowing movements in all directions.
The laparoscopic instruments in conventional laparoscopic surgery do not
have this ability.
The da Vinci® robotic surgery is done through three to four 1-2cm.
incisions. This causes less post operative pain and less chance of infection.
As a result there is less need for narcotics to control pain.
Patient stay in the hospital after this type of surgery is much less
than open surgery, there is less blood loss and as a result less need
for blood transfusion. Recovery is much faster and patients return to
work sooner. Overall the complication rate is much lower than open surgery.
There is also less depression of the immune system, which is especially
relevant for cancer patients. Laparoscopic surgery also causes less adhesions
(scar tissue) and as a result less chance of getting small bowel obstruction.
Robotic surgery is the future and continues to develop. As more
knowledge is gained by the public about this technology the greater the
patient demand for this kind of intervention.
If you'd like to learn more about surgery using
the da Vinci® robot, please visit the links below.
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