Da Vinci-The Next Level Technology in Surgical Excellence and Patient Safety

Robotic surgery is the next frontier in medical technology advancement. Through specialised instruments and real-time imaging, robotic surgery helps to get better results while reducing operating time & a shorter hospital stay.

Dr. Gagan Gautam, head of Urologic Oncology and Robotic Surgery of Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, says that one of the pioneering robotic surgical systems is the Da Vinci surgical system. Introduced in 2000, it has quickly achieved a reputation of helping surgeons perform complicated procedures using a minimally invasive approach.

How does the Da Vinci Robotics Technology work?

Designed to improve upon previous conventional laparoscopy, the Da Vinci Robotic Technology consists of the following parts:

1) Surgeon’s console: It’s kept in the same room as the patient. The surgeon sits at the console and views the patient through a stereoscopic monitor, which provides a 3D view of the surgical site. This magnified, high-definition view gives the surgeon a 360-degree access, which shows the movement of the robot arms operated via the master controls.

There is a foot paddle at the bottom of the console, for the surgeon to switch between the energy sources. There are touchpads to adjust audio, video & system settings while the ergonomic design of the console ensures that the surgeon is at a relaxed position at all times.

2) Robot arms: There are four robot arms – Three hold multiple surgical instruments & one holds the 3D camera. These dime-sized instruments & a very small camera are placed inside the patient via small incisions. The camera gives the surgeon a better operative field than seen in a conventional laparoscopy and the arms mimic the moves of the surgeon, providing fingertip precision. This is not an automatous system; the surgeon is in control of the system at all times.

The tower (with the robot arms) is placed over the patient with the main surgeon at the console and another surgeon at the side of the patient, confirming the placement of the instrument. Additional video links are placed around the operating room for the surgical team to have a 2D view of the surgery.

There are many procedures that the best hospitals in India prefer doing via the Da Vinci Robot system:

Cardiac surgery:

• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Coronary Artery Disease

Colorectal surgery:

• Colectomy
• Rectal Resection

General surgery:

• Pancreatectomy (Benign & Cancer)
• Bariatric surgery
• Gastrectomy
• Heller Myotomy (surgery for swallowing disorders)
• Hernia Repair
• Nissen Fundoplication (acid reflux surgery)
• Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder surgery)

Thoracic surgery:

Lobectomy

Gynaecological surgery:

• Hysterectomy (Benign & Cancer)
• Sacropolpoplexy (Pelvic prolapse surgery)
• Myomectomy
• Endometriosis Resection

Checkout the Robotic Hysterectomy

Head & Neck Surgery:

TORS- Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (Throat cancer)

Urological surgery:

• Radical prostatectomy
• Radical nephrectomy
• Radical nephroureterectomy
• Reconstructive renal & ureteral surgeries
• Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO)
• Adrenalectomy
• Cystectomy
• Urinary diversions

As is with every surgery, there are risks attached to robotic surgery. However, the advantages of the robotic system are multifold:

Benefits During surgery:

• Better precision
• Enhanced dexterity
• Greater visualization
• Reduced risk of human error

Post-operation:

• Minimal scarring
• Smaller incisions which result in a reduced risk for infection
• Reduced blood transfusion and blood loss
• Significantly reduced pain and discomfort
• Better patient outcomes
• Shorter hospitalization
• Faster recovery and ability to get back to a normal, daily schedule

If you have been advised any of the procedures above mentioned, contact your doctor to know more about the Da Vinci Robot System.