Overview

Surgery is done on the human body to get rid of an injury or repair a non-functional organ. The procedure involves the proper use of medical instruments. Though our body might seem a simple compilation of organs and body parts, it is an entirely different mechanism with minute details from within. Surgery of organs such as the heart and brain is quite challenging. It involves dealing with minute nerves with complete precision.

Hence, a complete manual surgery is only sometimes the best option. Under such conditions, 'Robotic Surgery' comes into the picture.

Pros and Cons of Robotic Surgery : What You Need to Know

Robotic surgery is a robot-assisted surgery where doctors can perform surgery with more precision, perfection, and control. It proves to be helpful for doctors and gives them more confidence to perform complex surgeries. However, technology is way ahead today but also has its downfalls. In the same way, there are pros and cons of robotic surgery one needs to keep in mind.

The most prevalent system for robot surgery is the 'robot surgical system.' The system comes along with a camera and arms to control it. The doctor can insert the camera into the area to be operated and control it with the help of the arms provided by the system. The camera connected to the computer console displays a precise 3D image of the surgical area to allow a doctor to understand the situation more precisely.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is way different from traditional surgery. Before deciding, one must be aware of robotic surgery's many pros and cons. Robotic surgery provides more precision and makes the whole procedure quicker than usual.

Let us have a look at the advantages of robotic surgery:

Advanced Precision

One of the most significant advantages of robotic surgery is enhanced precision. A human hand requires a certain amount of space to hold the instrument and operate the affected area, while on the other hand, a robot's arms require less space and can even work comfortably with instruments in tight spaces. It allows surgery to be precise and also requires small and fewer incisions.

The more significant motion of robotic arms allows the robot to reach tight spaces easily. It also helps the patient to be operated on, stay calm and relaxed, and avoid panicking.

Better Visualisation

Sometimes, surgical sites are in tight and compact spaces, which makes it difficult for doctors to perform the surgery. The robot arms attached to the camera help to display the surgical site in 3D view on the attached computer console. It helps the doctor to perform the surgery in a much more precise manner. The camera helps to view the surgical area with much clarity for better surgery.

Quick Healing

One of the most significant advantages of robot surgery is quick healing. Robot surgery involves fewer small incisions for surgery, allowing quick healing of the patient with less visible scars. Hence, the blood flow is also less, allowing the patient to recover quickly.

Reduced Operating Time

Robot-assisted procedures reduce the operating and recovery time. This results in a shorter stay for patients in the hospital. Conversely, traditional surgeries usually take long as the surgeon prepares, marks, and opens the patients’ cardiovascular and chest areas. In robotic surgery, however, these steps are completed much faster due to the accuracy and precision of the robot.

Decreased Blood Loss

Robotic surgery results in reduced blood loss for the patient. Since robotic arms can also operate in tight and narrow spaces, incisions and cuts made by the robot tend to be much smaller than the ones made in traditional surgeries, thereby reducing blood loss. Moreover, the robot also cauterises blood vessels as it operates on them. It allows immediate blood coagulation and reduces overall bleeding.

Reduced Postoperative Complications

Robotic surgery also reduces postoperative complications. It also minimises wound pain and the risk of stroke and heart attack(which can result when a patient is unable to handle the rigours of the traditional surgery). When a manual component is eliminated from surgeries, robotic surgery allows surgeons to produce precise and consistent results with minimal risk of complications.

Better Overall Prognosis

Robotic surgery also leads to a better overall prognosis for the patient. Less bleeding, reduced operating time, fewer postoperative complications, etc., all contribute to an improved patient outcome. Robotic surgery is especially beneficial in high-risk cases where ultimate precision is required, the operation risk is minimised, and faster recovery time is needed.

Cons of Robotic Surgery

Though robotic surgery is one of the blessings of today's advanced technology, it also has cons. Let us have a look at some of the cons of this advanced form of surgery:

Robotic Malfunction

Things involved during a robotic surgery go on through a keen and thorough inspection. Whether the instruments involved or the robot performing the robotic surgery, every surgery element is inspected correctly. But a machine is a human-made element and hence is prone to malfunctioning. Hence, mechanical malfunction is one of the most significant disadvantages of this surgery. Furthermore, malfunctioning machines may cause nerve palsies, tissue damage, and many other issues. Such issues act as a barrier to proper surgery.

Improper input of Information

The involvement of a robot doesn't mean replacing a doctor during surgery. It acts as an assistant for a doctor performing the surgery. The doctors must input correct information into the robotic machine to perform the surgery. If the information fed is incorrect, this might result in unexpected failures. The robot might not be able to reach the surgical site and may damage the nearby areas. It also proves fatal in rare cases. Hence, a doctor has to be certain during such situations.

Less Available Centres

Though we can find many hospitals nearby, only some might be available with complete facilities. Hence, issues like the unavailability of robotic surgery are also faced by people in need at times. Hospitals might not be equipped with the proper and required machinery to perform a technologically advanced robotic surgery.

Expense

A robot performing the surgery, quickly reaching the problematic and tight spaces, and giving a 3D view on a console for a better view of the surgical area leads to more cost and expenses. Hence, affording robotic surgery is only in some patients' budgets. Furthermore, involving advanced machines and procedures with high technology increases the expense. Therefore, many people have to take a step back due to the higher costs involved in the procedure.

Latency during the Procedure

A machine takes time to process and perform the planned tasks. Hence, a computer fed with Information needs time to transfer the Information to the arms of the robot performing the surgery. It might not be a significant issue or aspect during routine surgeries. Still, it might be a significant cause of worry when a doctor needs to take quick actions such as cardiac surgeries. Therefore, a doctor has to be careful in such situations and needs to be prepared for the consequences faced due to the latency movement of the machine.

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

To sum up

Surgery is a procedure to heal the infected part or organ of a human body. Hence, one has to consider the pros and cons of robotic surgery before opting for robotic surgery and then making a final decision. Hence, get proper knowledge about the procedure before undergoing robotic surgery.

Reference Links

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/robotic-surgery/about/pac-20394974
- https://www.uchealth.com/services/robotic-surgery/patient-information/benefits/