Long-lasting surgeries can be managed without getting tired

Robotic surgery is used as a novel third surgical method in addition to open and laparoscopic surgery and its intended use is ever increasingly enlarging. The method is boosting its superiority by developing its technological infrastructure. Robot is not an independent system that carries out surgery on its master. In robotic surgery, the surgeon sits in front of a console and uses arms of robot that are loaded on the patient and a camera system to perform the surgery using sensitive systems. The three-dimensional high-resolution camera offers high-resolution 3D image of an area, or in other words, depth is intraoperatively perceived by the surgeon, while surgery is facilitated as images can be magnified up to 10x. This capability of detailed imaging helps the surgeon to understand anatomic planes more easily. Surgical tools can freely move at 7 ranges and they can turn by 540 degrees around their own axis. Thus, developed microprocessors of robotic system enable access to locations, where human hand can hardly reach, and it is superior to conventional laparoscopy as even minor tremors of the surgeon are filtered and eliminated.  Surgeon can manage very long-lasting surgeries eve without getting tired thanks to the console, where the surgeon carries out and manages the surgery, sees three-dimensional image of the surgical site and uses hands and feet easily. Since surgeons get less tired, they can focus on the surgery better.

Nerves are spared in rectal cancer surgery

Superior of the robotic surgery is somewhat more remarkable in two ends of the digestive system, namely pharynx and rectum.

Since surgery is carried out strictly in line with cancer surgery principles of the organ that is located in a narrow bone structure in rectum cancer, more remarkably in male patients, robotic surgery offers some advantages. When robotic system is used for surgical treatment of those locations, intraoperative bleeding is lesser than other alternatives and necessity to switch to open surgery is less common.

Moreover, robotic surgery is associated with far lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction that are very common after open surgical management of rectal cancer in male patients. Research show that oncologic survival rate in robotic surgery is equal to that or open surgery and other surgical methods.

Robotic surgery offers many advantages

·         In comparison to open surgery, small incision can be made for major surgeries, resulting in lesser pain. 

·         Bleeding is less commonly observed and more easily controlled thanks to detailed imaging and sensitive tools. Minimal loss of blood is faced.

·         Postoperative recovery is faster and hospital stay is shortened.

·         Surgical site can be seen and understood in better detail thanks to imaging advantages. Surgeon carries out the surgery based on an in-depth insight.

·         Developed movement capability offers better depth and sensitivity in comparison to movements of human’s hand.

·         The system eliminates involuntary tremors of the human’s hand.

·         Since surgeon sits throughout the surgery, patient feels more comfortable and physical stress is eliminated in long-lasting surgeries.

·         Nerve-sparing surgery is enabled in rectal cancer. Thus, sexual functions and voiding function are spared.

·         Smaller incision means lesser pain; if the pain is milder, use of narcotic agents is minimized in the postoperative period. Ability to minimize use of narcotic agents means quicker recovery of bowel functions. In robotic surgery, oral nutrition is allowed earlier in comparison to open surgery.  Briefly, smaller incision and lesser surgical trauma translate into lesser pain and quicker recovery. Quicker recovery enables earlier engagement in work and daily life.  In summary, robotic surgery offers the opportunity of “doing the correct thing in a correct manner” in most aspect in modern treatment of surgery patients in the modern medicine.

Prof. Fatih Ağalar, M.D., General Surgeon of Liv Hospital