Robotic Surgery - A Popular Technique Among Doctors

An entirely new concept ,“Robotic Surgery”, in the health sector proved to be a boon among patients and physicians. Doctors reveal their advantages. Let’s discuss this.

Robotic surgery – Introduction

The first robotic surgery was done by Dr.Birbala Rai, Senior Consultant, Gynaecology. last month at PSRI hospital, New Delhi. The doctor just sat behind the console with a 3D vision of the site and the surgery was performed by a robotic arm.

Usually in Robotic Surgery, the physician will be sitting on a chair in a console having a 3D vision of the area to be operated on. He will be directing the robotic arm to do the surgery. the robotic arm can do complicated surgeries that are tough for humans.

“Most people misunderstand the procedures of robotic surgeries as this will be done by a robot. But it’s not the real case. I would like to clarify this using the laparoscopic procedures where the surgery is done using keyholes with different instruments. In robotic surgeries, the physician will do the entire process using a robotic arm where the doctor will have more freedom to operate. It looks as if he is sitting inside the abdomen and doing it.” said Dr. Anil Mandhani, Executive Director of urology and kidney transplant, at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Procedure

One or more small incisions are first made by the surgeon.
The physician will insert the ports through these incisions (thin tubes). Instruments are then inserted through these ports, which are affixed to the robot.
One of the ports is used to insert an endoscope, which is a long, thin camera. Throughout the procedure, the camera offers 3D high-definition photographs.
The other ports are used to insert surgical instruments, enabling the physician to perform the procedure.
Sitting at a panel a few feet away, the doctor will operate the robotic arm.
An assistant remains there to assist the surgeon by switching out the instruments as needed.

Mostly Urologists, gynecologists, general surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and colorectal surgeons regularly use this procedure.

Advantages:

1.Good Precision and easy visualization:

“These robot operations have cameras that can rotate 360 degrees, so visualization of structures is very accurate. Physicians can choose the affected area without any hindrance.” commented Dr.Rai. “Doctors have easy access to every corner of the surgical field. It gives an “intuitive movement”.Basically in laparoscopy if the physician’s hand moves left, the laparoscope will move right. So it needs some sort of skill to operate. But here if we move right the robotic arm will also move right which is an “intuitive movement”,explains Dr.Mandhani.

2.Easy to operate:

Robotic Joint Replacement specialist, CritiCare Asia Multispeciality Hospital & Research Center, Mumbai,/dr.Sanjay said, “Using this robotic surgery difficult procedures such as le alignments, implants, and correcting deformities can be done easily.

3.Avoids human errors:

“The artificial intelligence used in this type of robotic surgery eliminates human errors. It gives better results and so the patient also recovers soon” said Dr.Londhe.

In conventional methods, the entire procedure would need more tissue dissection whereas this is very less in robotic surgeries.

Disadvantages:

But according to Dr. Udgeath Dhir, Director, and Head of Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, robotic surgery isn’t about people opting for it if they like it, it’s about case selection.
This procedure is available only in a few hospitals which need skilled personnel and more funding.
Suddenly if any fault occurs in the robotic arm, the doctor has to perform the entire surgery cut open which will take many days for the patient to recover.
Nerve damage can occur sometimes.
In cardiac robotic surgeries, the cost involved is too high so people cannot afford it.
Specialized training is given to the surgeon and it takes more time for them to learn the entire process successfully according to the learning curve.

Upcoming Event at Miami

Indian robotic surgeons will showcase their skills at a global conference in Miami, Florida, on November 19, 2022. This is organized by Vattikuti Foundation in Michigan. Overall 100 oncologists participate in this. About 15 distinguished surgeons from India are participating in this event. This conference will be an eye opener for the specialists where they will share their experiences and it also helps to invent new procedures for better practices.