Robot-assisted surgery
Written by Rhiana Devadasan
Robot-assisted surgery: the use of robots in the operating room (OR) to assist the surgeon in performing surgery.
Procedure:
- Surgeon views the patient via a terminal and manipulates robotic surgical instruments via a control panel.
- Views of the organs being worked on the transmitted from tiny cameras inserted into the body.
Classification
- Supervisory-controlled systems
- Tele surgical systems
- Shared-control systems
3 types of surgical robots have been recently developed...
- Da Vinci Surgical system
- designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled by a surgeon from a console
- commonly used for hysterectomies and prostate removals
- four interactive robotic arms controlled from the console. Three of the arms are for tools that hold objects, and can also act as scalpels, scissors, bovies, or graspers
- while the 4th arm contains a high definition 3D camera!!!!!
- Zeus robotic surgical system
- Made up of an ergonomic surgeon control console and 2 table mounted robotic arms, which perform surgical tasks and provide visualization during endoscopic surgery.
- AESOP robotic system
- Employs the assistance of the Automated Endoscopic system for optical position.
Advantages
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery time
- Tiny incision
- Shorter catheter time
- Immediate urinary control
- Less post op pain
- Surgeons have an enhanced view
- Easier to attach nerve endings
- Fewer surgeons required in the operating room
- Smaller infection risk
- Less anaesthesia
- Less blood loss
Disadvantages
- Safety
- Possible time lag between surgeons command and action of robot could harm the patient.
- Loss of power in an electrical failure
- Robots can’t replace human intelligence, skill and experience
- Cost
- Da vinci costs 2.5 million euros