How is Robotic Assisted Surgery better than Traditional Surgery?

When it comes to deciding between traditional open surgery and robot-assisted surgery, it becomes necessary to make an informed decision, especially when robotic-assisted surgery is new and includes precise modern tools & techniques. As scary as it might sound, robotic-assisted surgery is not actually so intimidating and offers many advantages over traditional open surgery.

Read ahead to know if robotic-assisted surgery is right for you and what advantages you get if you opt for robotic-assisted surgery over traditional open surgery.

What is Robotic Assisted Surgery?

The term "robotic surgery" may suggest that the surgery may be performed by robots, although it is not so. The surgeon controls all the functions of the robotic hand, which is used to perform surgery.

Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS), or simply robotic surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery using a console equipped with controllers that steer the robotic arms, which are controlled by surgeons. This system is cumulatively known as the da Vinci surgical system. The console of this system is equipped with a high-definition 3-D camera which provides clear and magnified images of the concerned region of the body on which surgeons will operate. With the help of a console, the surgeons are able to make minute incisions, as well as cauterize, staple, grasp, and perform other actions. These surgical incisions are highly precise.

Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic Assisted Surgery is a technologically advanced, minimally invasive surgery, meaning it does not need to make those big cuts. This kind of surgery offers a range of benefits in comparison to traditional surgery. Here are some advantages of robotic surgery:

• Smaller incisions & faster recovery
• Low risk of infection
• Less pain & blood loss
• Minimal scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Lesser reliance on narcotics before surgery

There are other reasons why surgeons prefer robotic-assisted surgery to conventional open surgery. The differences between robotic surgery and open surgery have been listed below as used before, during, and after surgery.

Before Surgery

Before surgery is performed, surgeons need to take images of the surgical site (the site where the surgeon operates). 

When robotic-assisted surgery is to be performed by surgeons, a computed tomography (CT) scan has to be done. The CT scan machine takes images of the targeted area, which creates a model on the robotic system's computer. This model helps surgeons to create a surgery plan, including the time & operating area.

In traditional open surgery, X-ray images are taken at the place of operation to create 2-D images, which is less accurate than a CT scan image. These 2-D images are used by surgeons to operate on the targeted area of surgery. This type of surgery is not often precise, and surgeons have to make unplanned adjustments.

During Surgery

Knowing what happens during Robotic Assisted Surgery and in open surgery will help you be more confident in making a decision.

During Robot-Assisted Surgery, the surgeons control the robotic hands using master controls, and the robotic instruments copy the instructions of the surgeon's movements to make the same precise movements at the place of operation. The images obtained during the CT scan help the surgeons to make tiny incisions in the targeted area of surgery. Sometimes, incisions on the skin are not required during robotic surgery.

In traditional open surgery, larger incisions are made, often on the skin, to access the targeted area of surgery and place instruments at joints, if necessary, as well as attach or remove parts of the targeted area. This may lead to more blood loss and adjusting measurements at the place of operation by surgeons.

Post-surgery Risks and Complications

Although both robotic-assisted surgery and traditional open surgery have good long-term outcomes, like any surgery, some risks and complications may accompany them. While robot-assisted surgery has a lower risk of infection than traditional open surgery as well as less blood loss, there are other advantages of robot-assisted surgery over open surgery.

1. During robotic-assisted surgery, drugs are usually not used as is required for anaesthesia during traditional open surgery.
2. After robotic-assisted surgery, patients require shorter hospital stays as well as fewer physical therapy sessions, which will lead to a cost-effective solution.
3. Patients need fewer pain medications after robotic surgery than traditional surgery.
4. Patients experience less stiffness after a robot-assisted surgery and have better mobility post-surgery.

While robotic-assisted surgery has many advantages over open surgery, not every patient may be the perfect candidate for robotic surgery. No matter what surgery you opt for, the surgeons are the best persons to tell if you are a good candidate for RAS.