What is Robotic Surgery?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery is a robot-assisted surgical procedure that allows doctors to perform surgeries using very small tools that are attached to a robotic arm. The robotic arm is controlled by the surgeon using a computer. Robotic surgeries are more precise, flexible, and offer better control than conventional surgeries and techniques.
The risk and complexity of robotic surgery are very less. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be performed through small incisions and can be controlled by the surgeon. This surgery provides good results and low risks as it is a computer-assisted surgery.
Let us talk in detail about robotic surgery in today’s article.
- What is the purpose of Robotic Surgery?
- What are the advantages of Robotic Surgery?
- What is the diagnostic procedure before a Robotic Surgery?
- What is the preparation before Robotic Surgery?
- What is the procedure of Robotic Surgery?
- How to care after Robotic Surgery?
- What are the risks of Robotic Surgery?
- What is the cost of Robotic Surgery in India?
What is the purpose of Robotic Surgery?
Some of the procedures that can be done as a robotic surgery are:
- Coronary artery bypass: It is a procedure that diverts the blood around the narrowed parts of the major arteries for improving the oxygen supply and blood flow to the heart. ( Know more about- What is Heart Bypass Surgery? )
- Cancer treatment: Cutting away the cancer cells and tissue from the sensitive parts of the body like the nerves, blood vessels, or other body organs can be done using robotic surgery. ( Know more about- What is Brain Cancer Treatment? )
- Removal of the gallbladder: The surgical removal of the gallbladder (an organ that sits below the liver) can be done using a robotic technique. ( Know more about- What is Gallbladder Surgery? )
- Hip replacement: The replacement of all or a part of the hip joint with an artificial, man-made joint known as prosthesis can be done using robotic surgery.
- Hysterectomy: This is a surgical procedure done to remove a woman’s womb (uterus).
- Nephrectomy: The removal of a part of or the whole kidney is known as nephrectomy.
- Kidney transplant: It is a procedure of placing a healthy kidney into a person having kidney failure. ( Know more about- What is Kidney Transplant? )
- Mitral valve repair: The surgeon removes and repairs a part of the damaged mitral valve (a valve present on the left side of the heart), allowing the valve to close completely and prevent leakage.
- Pyeloplasty: A surgery done to correct the ureteropelvic junction obstruction (blockage at the point where the kidney attaches to one of the tubes that run down to the bladder, known as the ureters).
- Pyloroplasty: It is a surgical procedure done to widen the opening in the lower part of the stomach (known as pylorus) so that the contents of the stomach can be emptied into the small intestine. ( Know more about- What is Hernia Surgery? )
- Radical prostatectomy: It is a surgical procedure done to remove the entire prostate gland (a gland that is present just below the urinary bladder in men) and some tissue surrounding it, for the treatment of prostate cancer. ( Know more about- What is Prostate Surgery? )
- Radical cystectomy: A surgery performed to remove the entire urinary bladder (where the urine is stored).
- Tubal ligation: A surgical procedure done for closing the fallopian tubes (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb of a woman) in a woman, making her infertile.
What are the advantages of Robotic Surgery?
The advantages of robotic surgery include:
- Better precision, control, and flexibility by the surgeon
- Ability of the surgeon to perform complex and delicate procedures that are difficult to perform by other methods
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Smaller incisions (cuts)
- Shorter stay at the hospital
- Lesser complications, like infection at the surgical site
- Less pain
- Blood loss is reduced
- Quick recovery
- Smaller, inconspicuous scars
What is the diagnostic procedure before a Robotic Surgery?
- Physical examination: The doctor will first physically examine the patient, and inquire about the medical history and family history of the patient. The patient’s symptoms are also noted. Various tests may be recommended by the doctor to check if the lungs and heart are in a stable condition before the surgery.
- Blood tests: This test helps in checking the various parameters of blood, and the presence of any underlying medical disorders.
- Urine tests: These tests help in checking for urinary infections.
- Chest x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound: These are imaging tests done to obtain clear images of the various internal organs of the body.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test helps to record the electrical signals from the heart to diagnose any heart conditions which may be present.
What is the preparation before Robotic Surgery?
- The doctor gives you complete information about the advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery before the procedure.
- The patient may be asked to obtain medical or cardiac clearance with an internist or cardiologist.
- Doctors advise the patient to discontinue blood-thinning drugs like warfarin, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory drugs 7 to 10 before the procedure.
- If you are on any special medicines, supplements, or herbs, then give complete information to the doctor before the surgery. The doctor will guide you if it is advisable or not advisable to take these medicines before the procedure.
- The patient should not take any food or liquids from the night before surgery. Talk to the doctor about it.
- Doctors can give some other advice.
- If you are overweight, try to reduce your weight before the surgery.
- Do not smoke and consume alcohol.
- Include healthy food in your lifestyle.
- The doctor may prescribe a laxative or enema to cleanse your bowels the day before the surgery, in case of certain procedures.
What is the procedure of Robotic Surgery?
- The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure).
- The surgeon will sit at a computer station and control the movements of the robotic arm.
- Some small surgical tools are attached to the arms of the robot.
- Small cuts are made by the surgeon for the insertion of small instruments into the body.
- A thin tube with a camera and light attached at one end, known as an endoscope, is inserted inside the incision. This allows the surgeon to obtain clear images of the internal organs of the body during the surgery.
- The robotic arms will match the hand movements of the doctor in order to perform the procedure using tiny instruments.
How to care after Robotic Surgery?
After any surgical procedure, the doctors recommend the following for a quick recovery:
- The patient is taken to the recovery room after the surgical procedure.
- Depending on the type of surgery performed, the patient may stay in the hospital overnight or for a couple of days.
- The patient is advised to rest following surgery.
- The patient is advised not to drive for at least a week after the surgery.
- It is essential to avoid indulging in any type of strenuous physical exercise after surgery.
- In case of infection or bleeding at the site of the incision, the patient should contact the doctor immediately.
- After the surgery, the patient should take complete information from the doctor about his diet.
- Avoid swimming for a few days after surgery.
- The patient should be able to walk within a day after the surgery.
- How soon the patient can resume his/her daily activities depends on the type of surgery performed.
( Know more about- What is Hernia Surgery? )
What are the risks of Robotic Surgery?
The risks of robotic surgery are:
- Bleeding ( Know more about- What is Blood in Stool? )
- Infection
- Breathing problems
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
- Reactions to medications
What is the cost of Robotic Surgery in India?
The total cost of robotic surgery in India can range from around INR 1,50,000 to INR 11,00,000. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in robotic surgery. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of robotic surgery, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. After surgery, the patient is kept for two days in the hospital and seven days in the hotel for recovery. So, the total cost of robotic surgery in India comes to a total of INR 1,90,000 to INR 14,30,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Robotic Surgery through this article.
If you need more information related to Robotic Surgery, then you can contact a General Surgeon.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
