Robotic Surgery

Introduction

Robotic surgery is a new and exciting emerging technology that is taking the surgical profession by storm. Surgical robots have become the entry fee for centers wanting to be known for excellence in minimally invasive surgery.

This revolution has radically changed surgical practice, by combining multiple technological developments. High-definition cameras and microinstruments, which enter the human body through small incisions, replace the eyes and hands of the surgeon.
Robotics and computer sciences have produced innovations to augment the surgeon's skills to achieve accuracy and high precision during complex surgery. Similar to aeronautics and military equipment, surgeons have been provided with tools conferring capacities that can replace the lack of physical palpation to identify target structures, surgical planes and resection margins.

Surgeons can train on virtual reality (VR) simulators, which offer increasingly realistic three-dimensional (3D) immersive environments, through the development of patient-specific virtual models which can be used to plan and perform the surgical procedure virtually, before moving on to the actual operation.

Robotic advancement as a boon to the medical province

The surgical strategy can be planned and simulated using a virtual patient model; the 3D model may eventually be fused with real-time patient images, providing an intraoperative navigation tool that highlights target structures and anatomical variations. Fusion of live images and synthetic computer-generated images is defined as augmented reality

The augmented surgical eye can see by transparency, through virtual and augmented reality. It can see the invisible, through infrared technology or laparoendoscopesequipped with narrowband filters that provide the ability to detect invisible structures. This technology allows observation of the infinitely small through endomicroscopic systems and virtual biopsies with real-time histological examination.

The augmented surgical hand has been provided by robotic technologies offering enhanced telemanipulation to facilitate MIS. The surgeon is seated at the master console and observes the surgical field through a stereoscopic camera, which offers high-resolution magnified vision. Surgical instruments are guided by haptic interfaces that replicate and filter hand movements.

Why to opt robotic surgery?

• Robotic surgery gives the surgeon a top quality, amplified (12×), 3-D perspective on the surgical site.
• The surgical instruments are controlled by surgeon utilizing the control panel, to coordinate surgical instruments which are smaller in size, and more adaptable than the human hand.
• The robot doesn't carry surgery all alone. The movement of the surgeon's hand is mimicked by the instruments connected to the robotic arms, while this is totally controlled by the surgeon.
• Robot assisted surgeries offer exact activity without hand quakes, empowering the surgeon to carry out the most intricate strategies with improved accuracy, finesse and control.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Robot-Assisted Surgery Versus Conventional Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery is now remarkably increasing in popularity because of its edge over conventional laparoscopic surgery:

Clinical Application

• Robotic surgeries in cholecystectomies, tubal reanastomoses, gastroplasties for obesity, inguinal hernia repairs, intrarectal procedures, hysterectomies, cardiac procedures, prostatectomies, artiovenous fistulas, lumbar sympathectomy, appendectomy, laryngeal exploration, varicocele ligation, endometriosis cure, and neosalpingostomy were reported to be feasible.
• Robotic surgery is transforming medicine and one of the most important areas generating the most excitement is minimally invasive cardiac surgery. robotically assisted endoscopic coronary bypass surgery showed favorable short-term outcomes with no adverse events and found robotic assistance is an enabling technology that allows surgeons to perform endoscopic coronary anastomoses.
• Robotic assistance seems to confer better results than open radical prostatectomy procedures in terms of intra- and immediate postoperative parameters (operative time, blood loss and hospital stay).
• It is suggested that the robot surgeries are most useful in intra-abdominal microsurgery or for manipulations in very small spaces. There were no reports of robot related morbidity.
• Current clinical application of robotic surgery which has been suggested to be more effective for the gastrointestinal tract includes:

                   –     Heller myotomy
                   –     Oesophagectomy
                   –     Gastrectomy for cancer
                   –     Bariatric surgery
                   –     Pancreatic surgery
                   –     Liver resection
                   –     Colorectal surgery

Summary of Clinical Application

Conclusion

Robotic surgery has already proven itself to be of great value, particularly in areas inaccessible to conventional laparoscopic procedures. In many case, robotic technology is set to revolutionize surgery by improving and expanding laparoscopic procedures, advancing surgical technology, and bringing surgery into the digital age. Furthermore, it has the potential to expand surgical treatment modalities beyond the limits of human ability.

The magnified view, improved ergonomics and dexterity offered by robotic platforms might facilitate the uptake of minimally invasive procedures. Selected procedures (oesophagectomy, gastric bypass, pancreatic and liver resections, rectal resection for cancer) may benefit from robotic assistance. Higher costs of robotically assisted procedures are likely to decrease with upcoming competitors' surgical robotic platforms.

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