While robotic surgery first came into focus some three decades ago, it's only in recent times that it has become practical in the mainstream and for a variety of different procedures. If you've been told that you may benefit from such an approach, what is involved?
Developments from the Past
Doctors in several hospitals around the country have been using a surgical robot known as "da Vinci" for some time to help them with conventional laparoscopic surgery. This development has been led by the United States, where hundreds of thousands of procedures involving hysterectomies or prostatectomies have been performed with this type of precision.
The Future
Up until fairly recently, the robot itself was effectively an extension of the surgeon, who would sit at a nearby control and manipulate the arms of the robot to manoeuvre everything into place. However, on the horizon, some procedures may be able to benefit from an autonomous robot, that essentially functions on its own and this is the start of an exciting new development. Essentially, the robot is programmed using some very complicated algorithms and relies on specific sensors and infrared technology. All indications show that these robots will be equally as good as their human counterparts in similar procedures and can be expected to carry out such procedures with high efficiency in terms of time and cost.
Today
Today, a surgical robot helps the surgeon through the use of a special magnifier and camera presented in 3-D. A variety of tiny instruments are also presented to the procedure site and controlled remotely by the surgeon.
The operating team can use a console placed nearby so that they are not standing next to the patient but controlling the instruments and camera with high precision hand controls.
Procedure in Detail
You may be intrigued by the future possibilities but should always remember that today, the surgeon is actually performing the procedure and the robot is essentially an advanced surgical tool. The doctor will nevertheless have a much clearer view of the surgery site due to enhanced visualisation, and the risk of infection is also markedly reduced.
One of the main advantages of robotic surgery is faster healing and shorter hospital stays. Typically, the incision is much smaller and will result in far fewer complication rates.
Widespread Availability
Robotic surgery is now available for a wide variety of procedures in the fields of gynaecology, cardiovascular health, urology and general practice. Ask your team to elaborate on any of the details before you go ahead.
Share21 September 2018
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes ten years ago. Since my diagnosis, I have been committed to learning how to modify my lifestyle and adopt healthy practices, such as daily exercise and eating wholefoods, that help control my diabetes and improve my quality of life. I started this blog to connect with others living with this condition and to share what I've learned on my personal journey to better health. I also update the blog with the latest research and news relating to type 2 diabetes. If you have a specific question that's not been addressed in a blog post, feel free to send me an email.
