Robotic surgery is a process in which surgeons are assisted by a robot in order to perform their operation. It’s important to keep in mind that robots haven’t completely taken over surgeons’ jobs; they merely offer assistance with extremely important procedures.
Origin & Uses of Robotic Surgery
This type of surgery originated in the late 1980s with the introduction of Robodoc in a prosthetic hip replacement. Robodoc was an orthopedic image-guided system developed by Integrated Surgical Systems in Sacramento, California. Additionally, there was a necessity for surgery to be performed in the military, especially in areas with limited resources and time. The first use of robotic surgery in the military came with the implementation of the Green Telepresence System for remote damage control surgery. This would in turn lead to the integration of robotic surgical devices in hospitals everywhere.
Robotic surgery consists of three components, which includes the robotic arm (meant to hold utensils), the high-definition camera (which offers a three dimensional image of the targeted area), and the surgical console (which is controlled by the surgeon).
In robotic surgery, a surgeon first incises the area of the body and inserts “ports” into the small cuts. The smaller incisions made by the surgeon categorizes the operation as a minimally invasive surgery. The robot is then connected to the port and an endoscope is inserted to provide a visual. The surgeon can then operate the robot through their surgical console and then complete their operation via the tools provided by the robot. The incisions are then closed through sutures.
Robotic surgery is typically used by general, colorectal, gyneocologic, cardiothoracic, urinology, brain and spinal, and gastrointestinal surgeons. Specifically, the procedures they are typically used in include: epilepsy surgery, hysterectomy, spinal surgery, appedectomy, and many more.
Pros & Cons of Robotic Surgery
The pros of robotic surgery include the fact that there is a reduction in the amount of blood loss compared to a procedure done without a robot; recovery is also less painful and there is a lower risk of infection afterwards. Recovery time from a robot-assisted surgery is much less than from a regular surgery. To add on, robotic surgery makes it easier for the surgeon to efficiently complete their job since a robotic arm can move more accurately and access smaller spaces. Its success rate is between 94% to 100%, ensuring safe results.
However, the cons include the fact that this option is not widely available for everyone, as it can only be used by highly trained surgeons. Additionally, any extraneous variables such as scars from past surgeries may remove robotic surgery as an option and result in the surgeon incising a larger portion of the body. There is also a risk of nerve damage and the rare occurrence of a robot breaking down.
An example of robotic surgery is the da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery system, which was created in 1995 and now has been implemented by more than 76,000 surgeons and been a part of more than 14 million surgeries.
Legal Aspects of Robotic Surgery
Though robotic surgery offers incredible solutions to surgical operations, they may also cause problems that lead to legal troubles. For example, the da Vinci system had been claimed by some patients to attach to patients’ tissues and rip through them, causing harm. Additionally, instruments that were not well-kept were known to have burned through patient tissues and/or organs. These instances led to the FDA notifying Intuitive Surgical, the da Vinci’s manufacturer, of the reported problems in 2013. Later on, in 2018, 20,000 reports had been made of the harmful side effects experienced by the da Vinci system. It was claimed that due to insulation issues, electrical currents seeped into the body of the patient, resulting in near-fatal or fatal burns.
Additionally, patients can file for malpractice if their surgeon did provide information of the risks that come with the use of robotic surgical devices, as surgeons are required to obtain informed consent. A relative of a patient may also file for a wrongful death lawsuit if the devices used resulted in the death of a patient.
There are measures put in place that lower the risk of surgeons making mistakes in the operating room while using robotic surgical devices. For example, SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) and MIRA (Minimally Invasive Robotics Association) partnered up to release their joint statement that included the requirements for surgeons training to use robotic surgery. Additionally, a separate group created the FRS (Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery) to provide training to surgeons; this training, however, is not a mandatory prerequisite for using robotic surgery during procedures.
Robotic surgery is a great option for those who require an operation, but it is still important to consult with one’s doctor to make sure that their procedure can be completed with a surgeon who is familiar with robotic surgery.
Works Cited:
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