As artificial intelligence research proceeds by leaps and bounds, reports of robots taking over mundane or repetitive tasks have many excited — and others worried about becoming obsolete. Not surprisingly, if robotic surgery is in your future, you may wonder if that means robots will perform your procedure, too. The answer: not.
Robotic surgery, more aptly referred to as robot-assisted surgery, uses computer software, robotic arms, and “fingers” to enhance surgical procedures. Your surgeon still controls the robotic device, much as they control a scalpel or other surgical instrument.
Desert West Surgery uses robotic surgery to enhance our patients’ outcomes and improve their overall experience. In this post, our team reviews some of the most important benefits of robot-assisted surgery so you can feel confident about your upcoming procedure.
Precision is important for all types of surgery, but it becomes even more critical for surgery in anatomically complex areas or when the surgery itself is especially complex. Robotic surgery offers a high degree of precision because it uses technology to refine and optimize the surgeon’s movements.
Not only are the robotic arms steadier than human hands, but the console itself supplies a 3D, highly magnified view of the surgical site for even greater accuracy. Those precise movements are also reproducible from one surgery to the next, reducing the risk of errors in all types of procedures, including very intricate ones.
Robotic surgery uses smaller incisions while giving the surgeon greater control. These benefits mean there’s less tissue damage than traditional surgery and less risk of unintended damage. Plus, when healthy tissue is preserved, there’s also less discomfort during postop recovery.
Less tissue damage also means less blood loss compared to traditional surgery, reducing the need for transfusions. The precision afforded by robotic “arms” avoids unnecessary incisions in blood vessels, and the arms can also be used to seal off tiny vessels during surgery to prevent bleeding.
The minimally invasive approach and smaller incisions involved in robotic surgery also decrease infection risk. When less tissue is exposed to the outside environment, there’s less opportunity for germs to invade that tissue. And, of course, smaller incisions heal faster than the larger incisions used in traditional surgery.
Less tissue damage, decreased blood loss, and reduced infection risk all contribute to one major benefit for patients: faster and more comfortable recovery. Preserving healthy tissue means less swelling during the postoperative period, which enhances comfort and speeds healing.
Robot surgery is also associated with less hospitalization time, which means less exposure to germs and a faster return to your “normal” routine. Postop rehabilitation and mobility are also enhanced, providing physical and emotional benefits.
Robotic surgery offers significant advantages over many types of surgery, but it’s not always the best option. Our team is skilled in robotic surgery, as well as other minimally invasive techniques and traditional approaches, so you can rest assured you’ll receive the most appropriate care based on your unique needs.
To learn more about robotic surgery and other surgical techniques, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.
