What would you think if your doctor told you that you needed to have surgery and that it would be done using "robotic technology"? You might think, "Oh, a robot is going to cut me open?" But that's not the case. This is a very advanced, safe procedure. In this procedure, everything, every decision is made by your surgeon. The robot is like a superpower in his hands. Let's talk about this simply from the beginning.
What is da Vinci Robotic Surgery, simply put?
Simply put, this is a type of surgery performed using a robot to assist a surgeon. This enhances the surgeon's manual dexterity and skill. It also helps to perform very precise surgeries, even in very delicate areas inside the body that are not easily accessible.
Imagine, in a normal major surgery (we call this 'open surgery') a large incision has to be made. But in this da Vinci method, the robot has four arms. These arms are equipped with surgical instruments and a high-tech camera that can see inside the body (Endoscopic camera). These instruments are inserted into your body through several very small incisions. Therefore, there is no need for large incisions. One of the biggest advantages of this is that the risk of wound infection after the surgery is reduced and recovery is faster.
But the most important thing is this. The robotic instruments only move when the surgeon controls them. The robot never does anything on its own. Everything is under the doctor's control.
It is named the `da Vinci Surgical System®` in honor of the world-famous Leonardo da Vinci's studies of the human body. The technology was approved for use in surgery by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. It is still the leading robotic surgical system in use in the world today.
What are the main parts of this Da Vinci robot?
There are three main parts to this entire system. Knowing these will give you a good idea of the entire process.
| Main part | The work that it does |
|---|---|
| Control center | Your surgeon sits here during the operation. The screen here gives you a very clear, three-dimensional (3D) view of the inside of your body where the surgery is being performed. The robotic arms are controlled by two controllers, like joysticks in a game. But these are much more advanced than that. |
| Patient cart | This is the part that is kept next to your bed during surgery. It houses the robotic arms and all the other equipment needed for the surgery. The surgery is performed with the robotic arms in this. |
| Vision cart | This is the "brain" of the entire da Vinci system. It contains all the hardware and software needed to make it work. It also has another screen so that other people participating in the surgery can watch the surgery. |
What surgeries use da Vinci robotic technology?
This technology is used for surgeries in many different fields of medicine. Here are some of the most common surgeries that use this method:
- Colon surgery (Colostomy)
- Endometrial ablation surgery
- Gallbladder removal surgery
- Gastric sleeve surgery
- Gastrotomy tube placement surgery
- Hysterectomy
- Mitral valve repair surgery
- Removal of small tumors (polyps) in the body (Polypectomy)
- Splenectomy
- Tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils)
Da Vinci technology is used for various surgeries like this. However, this facility is not available in every country and every hospital. Therefore, if you want to have surgery, you can ask your doctor if this method is suitable for you and if the facility is available.
What really happens during surgery?
What happens may vary depending on the type of surgery you're having, but every da Vinci procedure starts the same way.
1. First, an anesthesiologist will give you general anesthesia . You will then sleep soundly without feeling any pain until the surgery is over.
2. Next, the team in the operating room will prepare the da Vinci robot and position its patient cart next to your bed.
3. Your surgeon will make several very small incisions (the number of these incisions will depend on the type of surgery and the part of the body being performed).
4. Then, the doctor very carefully inserts surgical instruments and a camera into the body through those small incisions .
5. Next, the surgical instruments are attached to the robot's arms.
6. Now comes the important part. The surgeon goes and sits in the control center. From there, he can see the area inside the body where the surgery will be performed very clearly, in 3D.
7. The doctor uses the controller to control the robotic arm. This robotic arm can rotate and bend in all directions, just like the wrist of a human hand. Therefore, it can reach even the most delicate areas with great precision. Remember, the robotic arm only moves when the doctor moves the controller.
8. Once the surgery is completely finished, the doctor will remove the surgical instruments and sew up your incisions.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this method?
Like any medical procedure, this one has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the advantages first.
| Advantages of da Vinci robotic surgery | |
|---|---|
| Benefits during surgery | |
| - Very low blood volume. | |
| - Minimizing damage to body tissues. | |
| - The incisions are very small, so there are no large scars. | |
| Benefits after surgery | |
| - Reduced risk of wound infection and other complications. | |
| - Reduction of pain after surgery. | |
| - Being able to go home from the hospital quickly. | |
| - Recover quickly and be able to resume normal daily activities. |
Isn't there any disadvantage then?
Of course, all surgeries have some risk. Reactions to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, and other things can happen with any surgery. There are two disadvantages that are specific to da Vinci surgery:
- Longer duration: It may take longer to prepare and operate the machinery for this than for a regular surgery.
- Increased cost: This may cost more than a traditional surgery. You can find out more about this by talking to the accounting department of the hospital where you are being treated.
How long will it take to heal?
There is no exact time frame for this, as it depends on several factors, such as your overall health and the type of surgery you had. Your doctor can assess your condition and give you the best idea of how long it will take to recover.
When should I call the doctor?
Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments after surgery. Also, if you develop any of the following symptoms, notify your surgeon immediately.
- If the cut area changes color, swells, oozes pus, or is very painful to touch - these could be signs of an infection.
- If you have a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) or higher .
- If there is excessive bleeding .
If you have even the slightest doubt about something, never be afraid to call your doctor and ask. It's very important for your safety.
When do you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, don't delay. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Loss of consciousness (fainting)
- If you are bleeding uncontrollably
- If the pain becomes unbearable despite taking painkillers
Not all surgeons use the da Vinci Surgical System. And not all hospitals have this facility. However, as awareness of this technology increases, this surgical method is becoming increasingly popular around the world and in our country. If you need to have surgery, talk to your doctor about whether the da Vinci System is right for you instead of traditional open surgery.
Take-Home Message
- Da Vinci robotic surgery is not something a robot does alone. It is completely controlled by an experienced surgeon. The robot is just a highly skilled assistant in his hands.
- Because this method uses very small incisions, there is less pain, less scarring, and less healing time.
- This technology is not available for every surgery or in every hospital, so talk to your doctor about whether this is an option for you.
- After surgery, if you have signs of infection (fever, swelling, pus) or excessive pain or bleeding, seek medical advice immediately.
- Because this is an advanced technology, the cost and time required for the surgery may be slightly higher than a regular surgery.
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