For this type of surgery, a doctor uses robotic arms to operate through small keyhole incisions in the abdomen.
The robotic arms are able to do surgical tasks with an increased range of motion. They also can filter out hand tremor. The special tools translate the doctor’s larger hand movements into smaller ones. This allows delicate work in small spaces.
Some laparoscopic surgeries that have been successful using robotic techniques include:
Compared to more traditional procedures, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery may result in:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a robot-assisted laparoscopic procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Depending on the reason for your surgery, your doctor may do the following:
Leading up to the procedure:
Depending on the type of procedure that you have, you may be given:
Several small incisions will be made. They are called keyhole incisions. Carbon dioxide gas will be passed into the abdomen to expand it. This will make it easier for the doctor to see.
A small camera will be passed through one of the incisions. This tool is called an endoscope. It lights, magnifies, and projects an image of the organs onto a video screen. The endoscope will be attached to one of the robotic arms. The other arms will hold tools that are able to grasp, cut, dissect, and suture. These may include:
The doctor will sit at a console, looking at the images on the screen. Joystick-like hand controls and foot pedals will help to guide the tools. Another doctor will stay by you to adjust the tools as needed. In some cases, organs or tissue might need to be removed. When the procedure is done, the tools will be removed. The doctor will close the incisions with sutures or staples and apply a sterile dressing.
About 1-2 hours (depending on the type of procedure)
You will have pain and discomfort during recovery. Your doctor will give you pain medicine. You may also feel bloated or have pain in your shoulder from the gas used during the procedure. This can last up to three days.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 1-2 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if you have any problems.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Depending on the procedure, you should make a full recovery within a few weeks.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American College of Surgeons
http://www.facs.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
References:
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/.
Computer-assisted surgery: an update. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/405_computer.html. Accessed December 9, 2008.
Da Vinci surgery. Da Vinci Surgery website. Available at: http://www.davincisurgery.com.procedures/gynecologic/index.aspx. Accessed December 9, 2008.
General surgical applications. Intuitive Surgical website. Available at: http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/clinical/generalsurgery/index.aspx. Accessed July 17, 2006.
Gynecologic applications. Intuitive Surgical website. Available at: http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/clinical/gynecologicapplications/index.aspx. Accessed July 17, 2006.
Laparoscopic abdominal surgery: bile, duct, and gallbladder. New York University School of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.nyulaparoscopy.org/surgeries/gallbladder.html. Accessed July 18, 2006.
Laparoscopic anti-reflux (GERD) surgery. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI01. Accessed July 18, 2006.
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Duke University Medical Center website. Available at: http://medschool.duke.edu/. Accessed December 9, 2008.
Ruurda JP, van Vroonhoven ThJMV, Broeders IAMJ. Robot-assisted surgical systems: a new era in laparoscopic surgery. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2002;84:223-226.
UNC robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery. University of North Carolina School of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/gynrobotics/patients.htm. Accessed July 17, 2006.
Last reviewed December 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.