How the Surgical Robot works ?

 

In the world of modern surgery, precision, minimal trauma & faster recovery are more important than ever. One of the greatest advancements helping surgeons achieve these goals is Robot assisted surgery, also known as Robotic Surgery.

Let’s see what is a surgical robot - 

Surgical robot is NOT an AUTONOMOUS machine. It doesn’t make decisions or operate on its own. Instead, it’s a sophisticated computer enhanced system, that helps surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures with better control, flexibility & precision than traditional techniques.

Main components of a Surgical Robotic System -

1. Surgeon Console - This is where the surgeon sits on a specialised console, away from the Operating Table. Surgeon gets to see a High definition, 3D image of the Surgical area. Surgeon controls the Robotic arms & Instruments from here.
2. Patient side cart with Robotic arms - It is positioned near the patient. It holds Robotic arms equipped with the surgical Instruments & High Definition 3D camera. Arms replicate the surgeon’s arm movements in real time.
3. Vision Cart - It has a monitor showing a 2D image for the bed side assistant helping in the surgery.

How does the Surgical Robotic System actually works ?

1. Preparation & Docking -

After anaesthesia, the patient is positioned & small 8mm incisions are made over the patients abdomen. The number of incisions & their locations depend upon the type of surgery. Robotic Trocars are inserted & Robotic arms are docked to these trocars. Robotic camera & the required instruments are inserted through these trocars & are fixed to the robotic arms.

2. 3D Visualization -

Robotic camera offers high definition, 3D vision to the surgeon’s console, offering a magnified & immersive view of the operative field

3. Surgeon in command -

The surgeon sits comfortably at the console & uses control like Joysticks & Foot pedals to guide the Robotic arms. Surgeon’s hand movements are translated into precise micro movements by the Robotic instruments.

4. Surgical precision - 

The Robotic arms move more steadily & accurately than the human hand. They can rotate 540 degrees- more than the human wrist & eliminate natural tremors, giving the surgeon unparalleled dexterity.

5. Procedures completion & Undocking - 

After the surgical procedure is complete, the instruments are removed, Robot is undocked , Trocars are removed & all the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures maintaining the cosmesis.

Common General Surgical Procedures performed Robotically -

1. Gall Bladder Removal ( Cholecystectomy )

2. Hernia Repair - Abdominal wall & Groin Hernia

3. Colorectal Surgeries - like Resection & Anastomosis of Colon, Rectopexy etc

4. Upper GI Surgeries - e.g. Fundoplication, Cardiomyotomy etc

5. Small Bowel Resection & Anastomosis

6. Appendicectomy 

7. Splenectomy 

Robotic Surgery - An Absolute Precision in the Operating Room

 In the rapidly evolving world of medicine, Robotic Surgery stands at the forefront of innovation.Blending advanced technology with surgical expertise, Robotic assisted surgeries are redefining what is possible in the OR.

But what exactly is Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery is a form of Minimally Invasive Surgery, where surgeon uses a computer controlled robotic system to assist in surgical procedures.

Common surgical robot has three components -

• A Console where the surgeon sits to control the robot and perform various procedures
• Patient side cart with robotic arms for holding the robotic instruments & 3D camera
• Vision cart for the assistants and the scrub nurse can have the view of the surgery.

Advanced Robotic Instruments mimic the surgeon’s hand movements with extreme precision.

Though often called Robotic, these surgeries are not performed by  autonomous robots. It is always a surgeon who is controlling the robot.

How Does It Work?

The surgeon makes a few small incisions ( Usually 8mm ), depending upon the number of instruments required & views the surgical site on a High Definition 3D camera. Using hand controls & foot pedals at the console, the surgeon directs the robotic arms holding the required instruments, which filter out hand tremors & allow for precise movement than traditional human hands.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery -

• High Definition 3D camera gives an excellent vision of the operative field that helps in precise visualisation of the operative field & helps in identifying the important structures to be saved during the surgery thus minimising the post operative complications.
• 270 degree movements of the robotic instruments helps in proper manoeuvring during the surgery thus making the difficult tasks like suturing easy as compared to the Laparoscopic surgery
• Dexterity of the robotic platform helps the surgeon to use both his hands with ease.
• Filtering of the hand tremors at the instrument tip helps in avoiding any inadvertent injury to any nearby important structures.
• Improved ergonomics thus reducing the fatigue in the surgeon.
• Less movements at the surgical port sites reduces the post operative pain thus reducing the use of analgesics ( Pain killers ) and helps in faster recovery.

Robotic surgery is used in following General Surgical Procedures -

• Gall Stone Diseases - Robotic Cholecystectomy procedure
• Repair of Groin Hernia
• Repair of Primary Abdominal wall Hernia
• Repair of Incisional Hernia
• Anti-Reflux procedures
• Surgery for Achalasia cardia 
• Surgery for Small & Large Intestinal pathologies

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