Robotic Surgeries

Introduction

In recent years, robotic surgery has emerged as a groundbreaking technology transforming the field of surgery. Robotic systems (e.g., the Da Vinci Surgical System) allow surgeons to conduct sophisticated surgeries with greater accuracy, maneuverability, and control. This high technology has been applied to many surgical specialties, such as prostatectomy, gynecologic surgery, and general surgery.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about robotic surgeries, their benefits, types, costs in India, recovery, and the best hospitals offering robotic surgery, particularly in Delhi.

What are Robotic Surgeries?

Robotic surgery is the application of robotic devices to help surgeons perform minimally open surgery. Such systems offer surgeons improved vision, accuracy, and control with the use of advanced surgery techniques. Robotic surgery is usually done by a tiny incision, which makes it a minimally invasive option compared with conventional open surgery.

In robotic surgery, the surgeon manipulates the robotic instruments through a console, while a high-definition 3D scene of the surgical field is displayed in the console. Robotic arms further the possibilities with small tools that permit sensitive manipulation and are particularly applicable to complex procedures, e.g., procedures involved in prostate surgery, gynecologic surgery and general surgery.

Why is Robotic Surgery Needed?

Robotic surgery is also a good option for patients and surgeons for the following reasons:

1. Increased Precision: The robotic system enables the surgeon to work with high precision even in the most delicate and intricate tasks, previously not achievable using classical manual approaches.
2. Minimally Invasive: Robotic surgery involves smaller incisions compared to traditional surgery. This minimizes the trauma to the body, thus there is less pain, smaller scars, and accelerated healing times.
3. Faster Recovery: Due to its minimally invasive nature, patients undergoing robotic surgery often experience faster recovery, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays.
4. Enhanced Visualization: Robotic systems give the surgeon a working endoscope to provide a high-definition 3D view of the operative site, potentially enhancing the surgeon’s visualization of important structures during the procedure.
5. Reduced Risk of Complications: Robotic surgeries through enhanced accuracy and control generally lead to fewer complications, like hemorrhage or infection.

Types of Robotic Surgeries

Robotic surgeries can be performed across various medical specialties. Below are the key types of robotic surgeries:

1. Robotic Prostate Surgery (Robotic Prostatectomy)

The advantages of robotic prostate surgery include:

• Increased precision in removing cancerous tissues.
• Less risk of nerve injuries that may impact bladder control and sexual function.
• Faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

2. Robotic Gynecological Surgery

Robotic surgery is employed in gynecology for many indications, such as:

• Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
• Ovarian cyst removal
• Endometriosis treatment
• Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)

3. Robotic gynecological surgeries offer significant advantages, such as:

• Less blood loss and reduced risk of complications.
• Faster recovery and fewer days in the hospital.
• Improved visualization of the cavity of the pelvic region, which can facilitate accurate resection of disease tissues or organs.

4. Robotic General Surgery

Robotic general surgery is used for a broad spectrum of general surgery indications, including:

• Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
• Hernia repair
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Colon resection

General surgeries are minimally invasive and have small incisions, resulting in:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker recovery
• Less scarring

Procedure Steps for Robotic Surgeries

The procedures in robotic surgery are different depending on the procedure type, but in general, the following steps are similar in the majority of surgeries:

1. Preoperative Consultation: The patient attends before surgery a detailed meeting with the surgeon, who explains the course of the treatment, both potential risks and positive outcomes. The surgeon can also carry out imaging tests for preoperative planning.
2. Anesthesia: Surgeons typically perform robotic surgeries under general anesthesia, meaning the patient will be asleep during the procedure.
3. Incisions and Robot Setup: Surgeons insert robot instruments through some small incisions in the patient’s body. To give super-resolution views of the work area, the surgical team places a surgical camera for in situ imaging.
4. Surgical Procedure: The robotic arms are controlled by the surgeon via a console using hand controls and foot pedals to move the robotic instruments. The robotic device enables high-accuracy movement in surgery.
5. Postoperative Care: The patient is transferred afterward to the recovery room and tracked. After the anesthesia wears off, the patient can usually resume normal activity much sooner than with conventional surgery.
6. Follow-Up: The patient may require follow-up visits for assessment of healing and restoration. The post-surgical care, such as pain control and risk of infection, will be talked through by the surgeon.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery has several advantages over conventional surgery:

1. Minimally Invasive: Robotic surgery requires smaller incisions, which leads to less tissue damage, reduced blood loss, and smaller scars.
2. Faster Recovery: Patients undergoing robotic surgery typically experience faster recovery times, meaning less time spent in the hospital and a quicker return to daily activities.
3. Reduced Pain: The smaller incisions and precision of the robotic system generally lead to less postoperative pain compared to traditional surgeries.
4. Better Visualization: LOS is equipped with a 3D high-definition camera, enabling surgeons to gain a clearer view of the surgical field, thus following a more accurate surgery.
5. Increased Precision: Robotic systems offer enhanced precision in complex surgeries, allowing for finer movements and a higher degree of control.

Cost of Robotic Surgery

• Robotic Prostate Surgery: $4,000 to $6,000 
• Robotic Gynecological Surgery: $3,500 to $5,500 
• Robotic General Surgery: $2,500 to $5,000 

Best Hospitals in India for Robotic Surgery

India is now the center of advanced medical device technologies, such as robotic surgery. Among the leading hospitals for the practice of robotic surgery in all specialties there are:

• Metro Hospital, Faridabad
• Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Apollo Hospitals, Delhi

Risks and Complications of Robotic Surgery

While robotic surgery is generally safe, there are some risks and complications to be aware of:

• Infection: Like all surgery, there is a risk of infection, in particular from non-adherence to post-operative care instructions.
• Bleeding: Although the smaller incisions reduce the likelihood of significant blood loss, there is still a chance of bleeding.

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