Robotic Surgery Melbourne
The Types of Robotic Surgery
Unlike traditional or open surgery, robotic surgery is designed to be minimally invasive. Surgical procedures take a toll on the human body, but with robotic-assisted surgery, doctors can perform procedures efficiently, often with less blood loss and less pain than traditional surgeries.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery utilises small incisions on the patient’s body and a thin tube containing a camera, also known as a laparoscope, that is inserted into the body to help doctors diagnose and treat different illnesses.
Robotic Assisted Surgery
With the latest in robotic technology the Da Vinci robot, or another robotic surgical system, utilises robotic instruments controlled by the surgeon. With high-definition vision and greater flexibility than the human hand, robotic surgeries use a few small incisions to perform different procedures. Due to being less invasive, robotic surgery often results in a quicker recovery time for the patient.
The Da Vinci Surgical System
The Da Vinci system is a robotic system that the surgeon sits inside to perform minimally invasive surgery. The Da Vinci robotic system is designed to simplify complex surgery for the surgeon and the patient. With many benefits such as enhanced vision, increased dexterity and a greater range of movement the surgeon can work more efficiently, resulting in fewer complications and a quicker recovery time.
Robotic surgery and the Da Vinci system are used in various urologic procedures, including:
- Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: removal of the prostate gland, often used to treat prostate cancer.
- Partial nephrectomy: removal of a portion of the kidney, used to treat kidney cancer and remove masses such as tumours.
- Cystectomy: removal of the bladder, used to treat cancer and prevent the spread of diseased tissue.
- Pyeloplasty: repair of a blocked kidney drainage system.
The Da Vinci robotic system has been used to assist with many other procedures as well, such as general surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery and much more.
Robotics is The Future
In urologic surgery, robotic systems have significantly advanced the field and have become an integral part of various procedures due to several key advantages:
- Enhanced precision: Robotic arms offer a high level of dexterity and 3D visualisation, enabling surgeons to perform intricate tasks with greater accuracy and precision, especially in confined spaces like the pelvic region.
- Reduced invasiveness: Smaller incisions are made during robotic surgery compared to traditional open surgery, leading to reduced trauma, less pain, and faster recovery times for patients.
- Improved outcomes: Robotic surgery has been associated with decreased blood loss, lower complication rates, and shorter hospital stays, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
- Surgeon ergonomics: The robotic system allows surgeons to sit comfortably at a console, controlling the robotic arms with hand and foot movements. This ergonomic advantage reduces fatigue during lengthy procedure
Despite these advantages, robotic surgery also poses some challenges, including the cost of the equipment and the need for specialised training for surgeons. Indeed, patient outcomes may be directly attributable to multiple factors including surgical experience and expertise.
To develop these important surgical skills, Dr Perera completed a high-volume two-year robotic urologic oncology fellowship focusing on robotic surgery at one of the world’s best cancer centres.