How to Treat Cancer by Robotic Surgery
What does robotic surgery mean in cancer treatment?
The traditional surgical method to remove tumors has been used for years to treat cancer. Nowadays as the technology is evolving, minimally invasive surgeries are getting famous. One such surgery is robotic surgery.
Many people misunderstand the term robotic surgery for robots performing operations. Whereas in reality, skilled surgeons operate robotic technology to perform such surgeries while keeping everything under their control.
Robotic surgeries involve using robotic arms which are controlled by surgeons who precisely operate. The arms of the robots are used as laparoscopes and other instruments to make incisions and remove the tumor.
Traditionally open surgeries are done by making a big incision and performing the surgery. This makes the patient prone to many infections causing organisms that can worsen the condition of the patients. In contrast, robotic surgeries are done by making an inch-long incision to perform the complete operation, hence the chances of getting an infection are much less.
Types of cancer treated with robotic surgery
Robotic surgery is being used to treat different types of cancer worldwide. It is used to perform operations on urological, colorectal, oral, and gynecological organ systems and related cancer types.
These surgeries are FDA-approved and many other types of cancer surgeries are under examination and approval methods.
This minimally invasive surgery got into the limelight due to its precision, functional results, the better quality of operation, and minimal complications that it offers. It has provided shorter surgery time with reduced side effects.
Several types of cancer can be treated with robotic surgery easily, which are:
Colorectal cancer
Lung cancer
Kidney cancer
Head and neck cancer
Oral cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Thyroid cancer
Prostate cancer
Esophageal cancer
Gynecological cancer
There are other robotic surgeries as well which are done to treat cancer from many types of cancer.
Some of them are radical nephrectomy, trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) and radical Hysterectomy, and other gynecological procedures.
All these procedures and surgeries are quite important and help patients get rid of tumors.
What to expect
When robotic surgery is performed, the two robotics arms are the main part of the tool which helps the surgeon to operate. The surgeon takes control of the two arms of robotic equipment from a console.
The surgeon operates these arms with a joystick and maintains the movement of these robotic arms.
The surgeon will make a small incision at the site of the tumor and insert equipment and a camera inside the body. This camera helps to get an image of the inside of the body. After locating the tumor, it will be removed from the body.
The robotic arms respond to the movement made by the surgeon and perform in the same manner. These robotic arms can be set to automatic to let the machine calculate and analyze for precise movements and removal of tumors.
As you get to know that you will go under robot-assisted surgery, then consult your doctor before to know more about the procedure. Follow the directions and manage things before the surgery. It will be an overnight surgery and it may take a few days to recover from the surgery.
Suggest a doctor for diet and exercise advice. It is advised to share details about any other medical condition you may be suffering from. Ask the doctor beforehand for any dietary restrictions. If you experience any side effects after surgery, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Benefits of robotic surgery
Robotic surgery is one such invention that is completely changing the medical field. It makes complex surgeries easier by providing a better view of organs. Generally, it is much safer than traditional surgical methods.
These robotic arms provide a high-definition, 3D view of organs which lets the surgeon get a better view of the site of operation as compared to the traditional method. The robotic arms provide a greater range of movement and can reach places easily which were hard to reach in the traditional way of surgery.
Some of the most basic advantages of robotic surgery are;
- Smaller incisions are made
- Less wound scarring of incision
- Less painful
- Reduced blood loss during surgery
- Lower risk of getting an infection
- Shorter recovery period
- Hospital stays for a shorter duration
Complications involved
As a modern technology, robotic surgery has many advantages but on the other hand, it also has a few limitations. The major limitations are listed below:
- The cost of robotic surgery is quite expensive. The cost of installation of these equipment and robotic tools is high enough to make the overall surgery costly. It also requires proper maintenance which can add up to it becoming this expensive.
- The operation of these robotic technologies requires specialized skills. This expertise is only mastered by a few surgeons who have years of experience. Not any surgeon can operate these instruments and perform the surgery.
- As it is a machine, after all, robotic instruments may experience any mechanical failure or breakdown. It can become a major issue for the robotic equipment to experience any such error and hinder the operation. Even though the possibility of such events is minute.
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