Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a robotic system to help the surgeon perform the surgery. The robotic system provides the surgeon with a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site, as well as greater precision and control over the surgical instruments. For this reason, robotic surgery is often used for procedures that are difficult or impossible to perform with traditional open surgery.
Today, we’re going to chat a bit about some common, and completely founded questions you might have about robotic surgery: how accurate is robotic surgery, can robotic surgery go wrong, is robotic surgery FDA-approved, and more. Let’s jump right in.
How Accurate Is Robotic Surgery?
The robotic system allows the surgeon to make very precise movements, which can help to reduce the risk of complications. In fact, studies have shown that robotic surgery is just as accurate as traditional open surgery, and may even be more accurate in some cases.
Is Robotic Surgery FDA-Approved?
The FDA has approved several robotic surgical systems for use in the United States. These systems include the da Vinci Surgical System, the Senhance System, and the Hominis Surgical System. And, they’re becoming more popular than ever. In fact, “the use of robotic surgery for all general surgery procedures increased from 1.8% to 15.1% from 2012 to 2018.”
Furthermore, the FDA approval process for robotic surgery is rigorous. The FDA requires manufacturers of robotic surgical systems to conduct clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their systems. The FDA also requires manufacturers to provide detailed information about the risks and benefits of their systems.
For more information about the FDA and robotics, check out Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems.
Can Robotic Surgery Go Wrong?
Like any surgery, robotic surgery is not without its risks, and there is always the potential for complications. Some of the potential risks of robotic surgery include infection, bleeding, injury to surrounding organs, and death. However, these are very unlikely to occur – especially when you have an experienced surgeon operating on you.
Is the Surgeon Involved in Robotic Surgery?
Your surgeon will be very involved in your robotic surgery – in fact, it can’t happen without them! They sit at a console in the operating room and control the robotic arms using hand and foot controls. During this time, they can see a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site on a monitor, and can make very precise movements using the robotic arms.
Risks & Benefits of Robotic Procedures:
The risks and benefits of robotic surgery are similar to those of traditional open surgery (see above), and every procedure will have different risks associated with it. However, the procedure’s robotic surgery alternative may offer some additional benefits, such as:
Faster recovery times
Less pain
Less blood loss
Smaller incisions
How We Use Robotic Surgery at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay:
Here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay, we have surgeons that are highly-skilled in robotic procedures. For example, Dr. Itriago routinely performs procedures that treat hemorrhoids, pilonidal cysts, diverticulitis, and more. When possible, all of our surgeons use minimally-invasive techniques. This shortens your stay and gets you back on your feet as soon as possible!
So, if you’re looking for a local colorectal clinic that offers robotics and laparoscopic procedures ask your doctor for a referral or contact our office today.