Is Robotic surgery the same as laparoscopic?
Robotic procedure is a minimally invasive procedure also called as a ‘keyhole surgery’ similar to the laparoscopic procedure. Only difference would be that the surgeon stands by the side of the patient in laparoscopic procedure holding the instruments himself or herself whereas in the robotic procedure the surgeon manoeuvres the entire procedure on the console and he is assisted by another colleague who sits at the bedside next to the patient and the robot.
Distinct advantages of the robotic procedure over the conventional laparoscopic procedure would be three dimensional vision, higher level of magnification, better precision, elimination of tremors, motion scaling, use of newer technologies like firefly and better ergonomic configuration. Overall it is a very safe procedure and highly recommended in expert hands for better oncological and functional outcomes.
Robotic surgeries are highly advanced and have numerous benefits over traditional open surgeries. For a patient it means:
- Smaller incisions, smaller scars
- Substantially less blood loss
- Shorter hospital stay; faster recovery
- Less pain
- Low risk procedures
- Fewer Complications
The four-armed surgical robotic system is a breakthrough in surgical technology and is used in the specialties like Urology, Gynaecology, Cardiac, Gastrointestinal surgery, Bariatrics and Paediatrics. Robotic surgery for treatment of prostate, kidney and urinary bladder cancer has proved to be highly beneficial to patients.
