Robot-Assisted Surgery—Overview

Overview

Definition

Definition

A doctor guides small robotic arms through several tiny keyhole incisions. This allows for greater range of movement than a doctor’s hand.

Reasons for Procedure

Reasons for Procedure

Robot-assisted surgery is considered for procedures that:

Performing surgery in this way may result in:

  • Less scarring
  • Reduced recovery times
  • Less risk of infection
  • Less blood loss
  • Reduced trauma to the body
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Faster recovery

Many types of surgery, including pediatric surgery, can now be done with the assistance of a robot, including:

General:

Chest:

Heart:

Gynecologic:

Urologic

Possible Complications

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have robot-assisted surgery, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Damage to nearby organs or structures
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Anesthesia-related problems
  • The need to switch to traditional surgical methods such as traditional laparoscopic or open surgery

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

What to Expect

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Depending on the reason for your surgery, your doctor may do the following:

Leading up to the surgery:

  • Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.
  • Take antibiotics if instructed.
  • Follow a special diet if instructed.
  • Shower the night before using antibacterial soap if instructed.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital. Also, have someone to help you at home.
  • Eat a light meal the night before. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

Depending on the type of procedure that you have, you may be given:

  • General anesthesia—blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the surgery
  • Local anesthesia with sedation—just the area that is being operated on is numbed, given as an injection

Description of the Procedure

Keyhole Incisions

Keyhole incisions are placed in preparation for a robot-assisted surgical procedure.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Several small keyhole openings will be cut in the skin near where the surgery will take place. In most cases, a needle will be used to inject carbon dioxide gas into the surgical area. This gas will make it easier for the doctor to see internal structures. Next, a small camera called an endoscope will be passed through one of the incisions. The camera will light, magnify, and project an image of the organs onto a video screen. Then robotic arms holding instruments for grasping, cutting, dissecting, and suturing will be inserted through the holes.

While sitting at a console near the operating table, the doctor will use lenses to look at a magnified 3D image of the inside of the body. Another doctor will stay by the table to adjust the camera and tools. The robotic arms and tools will be guided with joystick-like controls and foot pedals. Lastly, the tools will be removed and stitches or staples will be used to close the area.

How Long Will It Take?

Usually 1-2 hours or less

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications. You may also feel discomfort from the gas used during the procedure. This can last up to 3 days.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is a few days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if you have any problems.

Post-procedure Care

While you are recovering at the hospital, you will:

  • Be encouraged to walk with assistance soon after surgery.
  • Receive guidelines on what you should eat and what activities you can do. Depending on your procedure, you should be able to go back to your normal activities in a few weeks.
  • Participate in any physical therapy or rehabilitation.

Call Your Doctor

Call Your Doctor

It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from an incision site
  • Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
  • Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
  • Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • New or worsening symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Surgeons https://www.facs.org/education/patient-education

US Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health http://www.cadth.ca

Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References:

The da Vinci surgical system. University of Southern California, Cardiothoracic Surgery website. Available at:
http://www.cts.usc.edu/rsi-davincisystem.html
Accessed July 25, 2013.

Robotic surgery. Brown University website. Available at:
http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2005_Groups/04
Accessed July 25, 2013.

What is robotic surgery? The Robotic Surgery Center at NYU Langone Medical Center website. Available at:
http://robotic-surgery.med.nyu.edu/for-patients/what-robotic-surgery
Accessed July 25, 2013.

6/3/2011 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Mills E, Eyawo O, et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.

Last reviewed February 2015 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/29/2014

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