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Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery refers to types of surgical procedures that are carried out by using robotic systems.  Robot-assisted surgery, which is the correct terminology, was developed to try to overcome the limitations of pre-existing, minimally-invasive surgical procedures and to enhance the capabilities of surgeons performing open surgery.

In every robotic surgery, the operation is performed by the surgeon with the aid of a robotic system which offers higher precision in the movements. In some cases, the surgeon stands further away from the patient, in front of a computer, and performs the operation by watching the surgical field on a screen and moving special instruments that resemble joysticks. The surgeon’s orders are instantly transmitted to the robotic arms that complete the operation.

In other cases, the surgeon guides the movements robotically, maintaining a direct view of the surgical field and allowing for the ability to intervene immediately, if necessary.

What are the advantages of robotic surgery?

It is a minimally invasive and less traumatic method due to the precision of the surgeon’s movements that:

  • causes less blood loss.
  • inflicts less pain
  • minimizes the risk of intraoperative and after surgery side effects
  • reduces patient hospital stay
  • provides a shorter patient recovery period
  • ensures a better aesthetic outcome
  • enables the surgeon to have 3D magnified vision of the surgical field
  • makes surgical movements more precise
  • allows the surgeon to perform difficult movements. Robotic arms can do all the movements that the human hand performs (7 degrees of freedom in mobility), with higher dexterity and accuracy, whilst rotating almost 360o in the surgical field.

Robotic surgery is applied in various specialties, such as General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Gynecology, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. Nevertheless, the method is not without its side effects, it has its indications and contraindications and a much higher cost than conventional techniques. Moreover, it requires special training. The final decision of whether to use robotic equipment is based on scientific protocols, on the physician’s familiarity with the method and on the patient’s agreement to the higher cost.

After extensive market research, Mediterraneo Hospital acquired 2 robotic systems to be applied in the Orthopedics, General Surgery, Urology and Gynecology departments. These systems provide the most effective results in relation to the cost.

1.Orthopedics: ROSA©Knee System for total knee arthroplasty

The ROSA©Knee System (Robotic Surgical Assistant) is the most advanced robot ever constructed for total knee replacement surgeries. It is a system designed to collaborate with the surgeon, to follow his instructions and learn his technique, allowing for human intervention during the operation, if necessary.

The advantages of the ROSA© Knee System:

  • Detailed preparation of the operation via a computer using the personalized data of every patient.
  • Real time evaluation of the mobility range of the foot
  • Minimally invasive method
  • Minimization of potential intraoperative and postoperative complications
  • Reduced hospital stay
  • Less postoperative pain and faster recovery time
  • Ability to perform difficult surgical manipulations with high precision

2.General Surgery, Urology and Gynecology: 3D system EinsteinVision3 with robotic arms HandX.

This robotic system consists of the 3D laparoscopic system EinsteinVision 3.0 enhanced with the robotic arms HandX. It is an innovative composition of the renowned German company AESCULAP that offers the most valuable advantages of robotic technology at a reduced price.
Actually, the laparoscopic system offers a magnified three dimensional view of the surgical field similar to conventional robots. The robotic arms HandX are able to silmutaneously perform the same movements as human hands, in a really simple way, and to rotate 360o in the surgical field.

By using this robot-assisted system the surgeon is near the patient, the operation’s duration is significantly reduced compared to conventional robotic methods and the total cost is substantially lower.

The advantages of HandX:

This method combines both the benefits of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, such as reduced postoperative pain, small incisions and short hospital stay. Moreover, it provides 3D vision and excellent precision in the movements, which serve to protect the minor vessels and nerves.
The cost of the aforementioned method is outweighed by the reduced days of hospitalization, the fewer postsurgical complications and the speedier return of the patient to his work.

Applications of HandX:

General Surgery

  • Hernia
  • Appendectomy
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Obesity operations
  • Bowel resection
  • Colectomy
  • Gastrectomy
  • Hepatectomy
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Abdominal tumors

Urology

  • Radical prostatectomy
  • Nephrectomy

Gynecology

  • Resection of ovarian cyst
  • Ovariectomy /salpingectomy
  • Myomectomy
  • Hysterectomy
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