The Da Vinci robotic system was designed by NASA technicians in order to provide an answer to possible surgical procedures in the space race. Due to its ergonomics, extended three-dimensional vision and meticulousness in the execution of movements, it began to be used in clinical practice.
It started to be used in clinical practice mainly in surgical fields, where the release of anatomical structures, in the least traumatic way possible, plays an important role.
What are the elements of the system?
The system consists of three elements:
- The console of vision and execution of movements controlled by the surgeon.
- The trolley carrying the robotic arms that with the different elements will be introduced in the corresponding anatomical region of the patient.
- The tower carrying the vision generating elements, cutting and coagulation energy generators and working pressure regulators in cavities where air (CO2) is introduced to obtain a working chamber.
For which surgeries is robotics indicated?
Mainly, the surgeries in which the robotic option is indicated are oncological and reconstructive pathologies, which, due to their complexity and access, benefit from the advantages of the robotic system.
In the urological field, its main indication at the beginning was radical prostate surgery (prostate operation) for localized prostate cancer. Subsequently, its indication has been extended to include renal tumor surgery in localized tumors, reconstructive surgery in renal anomalies, radical surgery in infiltrating bladder tumors, etc.
Main advantages of robotic surgery
The advantages offered by robotic surgery are mainly the following:
- Low aggressiveness: approach routes through small incisions very little traumatic.
- Low blood loss due to the thoroughness of the procedure.
- Early restoration of mobility and food intake after surgery.
These advantages offer greater postoperative comfort, lower transfusion rates, shorter hospital stay and, in short, a quicker return to the patient’s normal activities.
It is important to emphasize, however, that the robot should be defined as a high-resolution and effective weapon in the hands of an experienced surgeon, as the robotic system alone lacks autonomy and self-monitoring options.
For more information on robotic surgery in Urology contact a specialist.