What is Robot Assisted Surgery?

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Robot Assisted Surgery has become established in many parts of the world as the standard of care in providing for minimally invasive and rapid recovery in the surgical cure of multiple cancers. Rather than surgery being undertaken through a traditional open incision it can be performed through a series of keyholes, utilising a series of robotic arms utilised by the surgeon.

 

What are the benefits of this surgery?

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Traditionally multiple forms of surgery, including gynaecologic surgery, partial nephrectomy for removal of kidney cancers while preserving the remainder of the kidney, prostatectomy (for removal of cancerous tissue in and around the prostate) and colorectal surgery were heavily invasive procedures, involving large incisions and post-operative side effects including increased risks of deep venous thrombosis. Patients were often subject to long stays in hospital, and the consequent prolonged recovery times at home that ensued as a consequence of having a large surgical wound.​ 

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Often the length of time required at home to convalesce after a large surgical wound means that there is significant financial hardship for affected patients, even those who have been treated in the Australian public health system. There may have been no cost for the admission to hospital and medical care, but who could afford a month or more resting at home without paid sick leave,  due to a painful large abdominal wound where there is a risk of a hernia developing at this site if a patient returns to physical work too early?

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These potential complications make the benefits of Robot Assisted Radical Surgery easier to understand. The use of highly-sophisticated robotic instruments to perform the surgery with increased safety and accuracy leads to reduced patient hospital stays as well as a reduced chance of post-surgical side effects.

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Most notably, the robot requires only small incisions rather than the bigger openings that come with conventional open surgery. That’s better for patients. It dramatically reduces recovery time for such operations as prostate surgery. The patient spends much less post-operative time in the hospital. It’s possible to be in and out of hospital inside 24 hours, rather than being laid up in a ward for four or more days. This results in a further cost saving to hospitals.

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There’s much less pain and discomfort, and fewer complications after such minimally invasive surgery. Patients are less likely to need intensive care unit admission, and less likely to require a blood transfusion. All in all, it means that patients can get on with their lives, returning to work or going back to being with their families, much more quickly.

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A leading surgeon at the Austin, Professor Damien Bolton, is expert at both conventional and robot surgery. He says, “Having become a robotic surgeon, there’s no doubt in my mind that the robotic option offers a better outcome.” The robot gives surgeons highly magnified and detailed vision of the parts of the body on which they are operating, as well as full dexterity in tight spaces. His colleague, surgeon and scientist Dr Joseph Ischia says the robot offers precision and accuracy. “Who wouldn’t want their operation done via keyholes instead of a large incision if the results were going to be equivalent or better? “

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How does the robot work?

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The robot in use within a robotic procedure is controlled by a surgeon, and effectively acts as a tool through which the surgery can be completed with enhanced precision and effectiveness. 

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When performing the surgery doctors sit in front of a panel and control the robot with the aide of high-resolution cameras and controlled hand-movements. This use of the robot helps to improve the precision of the surgery, leading to a lower risk of post-surgical complications (www.davincisurgery.com).

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