Robotic & Standard Laparoscopic Technique - Which Is Superior?

Some time back there was a good debate about which type of surgery was the preferred between an open surgery and a laparoscopic technique. The laparoscopic team won it hands down. Now an even more rigorous debate rages on amongst the medical circles - Is a robotic surgical method better than the standard laparoscopic technique? Let us look at this in simplest terms.

Robotic surgery is technically a laparoscopic procedure, but it is a procedure which is fused with advanced technology. The robotic surgeries are not entirely done by robots or artificial beings. At each and every step, they are guided by the surgeon and he/she has complete control over them.

In a standard laparoscopic procedure, once the incision is made and the camera is inserted, it is still the surgeon’s hand that does the procedure. While this works out positively in many cases, there are some restrictions as to the flexibility of the surgeon’s reach. This is where the robotic surgery comes into play. Once the incisions are made, the robotic instruments are guided into them. Then through a high-end laparoscopic camera, the surgeon is able to witness the inner regions through a 3D monitor that offers him/her a complete 360-degree view. The surgeon uses the visuals to guide the robotic arms through a set of levers or joysticks and does the procedure.

The biggest advantage of such procedures is the precision and the flexibility that the system offers. Even a complex area can be easily treated and the region can be taken care of. Some of the other advantages include:

• Recovery period: It involves the shortest recovery periods and your hospital stay is minimal.
• 3D view: Since the viewing options are further enhanced than the standard visuals, the surgeon has a better understanding of the inner regions and can take robust decisions based on the needs.
• Surgeon control: With complete control of the instruments, a surgeon is in complete control of the surgery that he is performing. As stated earlier, the surgeon’s ability to take accurate decisions multiply when opting for these procedures.
• Movement: In some cases, the surgeon’s hand may be limited in performing a surgery. For example in an obese person, there are some restrictions on the hand movements. This is completely in control with a robotic surgery procedure, as the robotic instruments are flexible and they can be allowed inside more freely for taking care of the ailment.

Robotic surgeries are getting popular by the day and you can consult with your doctors about the treatment plans that can be done with it. It is true that there are certain limitations to such procedures, but the technology is here to stay and get advanced within a short period of time.