Robotic Surgery vs. Traditional Surgery: Which Is Right for You?

The phrase “robotic surgery” is familiar to many, but what does it mean? This topic comes up when people have to choose between seeing a surgeon who suggests traditional open surgery or one who chooses this new and more complex style of surgery. Thankfully, robotic surgery is not as scary as it seems and generally has many benefits. 

If you need surgery, think about asking your surgeon if robotic surgery is the best option for you. Here is more information about this novel surgical technique.

What is Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery — or robotic-assisted surgery — is a minimally invasive type of surgery in which surgeons use a console equipped with controllers that manoeuvre robotic arms. This console also has a 3-D high-definition camera that provides a clear and magnified view of the target area. Using the console’s tiny and precise instruments, the surgeon can create small incisions, cauterise, staple, grasp and perform other actions — just as they would with their hands. 

Despite the word “robotic surgery” suggesting that a robot is carrying out the operation, the surgeon has complete control over how all of the devices move. 

What are the Benefits of Robotic Surgery?

One type of surgery that is becoming more and more common is robotic surgery. It doesn’t mean that robots are doing your operation, unlike what the general public believes. Rather, a surgeon uses extremely precise robotic arms. 

Because robotic surgery only requires a little incision, it is regarded as minimally invasive surgery. Comparing a smaller incision to typical open surgery can frequently result in significant reductions in risk factors and recovery durations.

During robotic surgery, the surgeon uses a computer to control the robotic arms that perform the procedure. Robotic surgery gives him/her unparalleled flexibility and precision during surgery. 

Robotic surgery can frequently be used for the following common procedures:

• Cancer removal
• Kidney transplant
• Mitral valve repair
• Hysterectomy
• Tubal ligation
• Gallbladder removal

With less blood loss, discomfort, and recovery time than more conventional surgical techniques, robotic surgery provides consistent, dependable results.

What are the Benefits of Traditional Surgery?

Robotic surgery is not a suitable solution for many procedures and medical problems. The surgeon provides the finest conventional surgical methods, such as laparoscopic surgery, in these situations.

Because laparoscopic surgery involves a significantly smaller incision than standard open surgical approaches, it is a very popular surgical alternative. Laparoscopic procedure incisions are typically half an inch long.

The doctor makes an incision, inserts a plastic tube, and performs the procedure using a camera and tiny surgical equipment. Upon completion of the surgery, she uses a few stitches to seal the wound.

Laparoscopic surgery is similar to robotic surgery in that both minimise the incision size and can reduce risks associated with surgery. Patients may experience less discomfort, along with faster recovery times when they undergo laparoscopic or robotic surgery.

The surgeon could suggest open surgery in specific circumstances. Typically, open surgery necessitates a wider incision, and the surgical team uses their hands rather than tiny instruments to move muscle and tissue. 

The best kind of surgery for you will depend on your particular medical situation. When providing a personalised surgical strategy, we examine your injuries, health, and medical history.

All surgeries come with a set of risks, but your healthcare provider can help you navigate surgery and recover as quickly as possible. 

What is Better: Robotic or Traditional Surgery?

Each kind of surgery has advantages. Research shows that patients can recover from robotic surgical operations more quickly and with less discomfort. For instance, robust urologic operations benefit greatly from the accuracy of robotic technology. One of them is a prostatectomy, in which the target location is surrounded by nerves that govern erectile function and urine control and are firmly contained. By employing a robotic device, surgeons can precisely minimise harm to neighbouring nerves, speed up recuperation, and facilitate a return to regular activities.

Although statistics have demonstrated the statistical benefits of robotic surgery, you are not a number. You are an individual with a distinct anatomy, suffering, and medical issues. In certain cases, conventional surgery is the superior option.

When you feel uneasy, having robotic surgery is one of those situations. It’s normal for some people to find the concept of robot-assisted surgery repulsive. We allow our patients to select the orthopaedic surgery that best suits their needs, even if it is painful. This way, you may still receive the necessary treatment to end your chronic pain and restore function to your leg and hip.

If you have a lot of scar tissue around your hip or have certain health conditions, you and your surgeon may decide that traditional surgery is a better option for you.

Conclusion

With its accuracy, less blood loss, decreased discomfort, and lower infection rates, robotic-assisted surgery outperforms conventional surgery. It’s an appealing option because of the indisputable benefits in surgical results and patient recovery, even with possible greater expenses. In the end, medical practitioners assess the patient’s state, the state of technology at their disposal, and surgical proficiency to ascertain the best course of action. Promising better results and a more streamlined surgical experience, robotic-assisted surgery represents a breakthrough.

At the CK Birla Hospital, we guarantee that patients receive complete medical treatment, including compassionate care. In addition to encouraging quicker recovery, this patient-centred approach ensures that patients are aware of the necessary precautions. Our staff of highly skilled surgeons has completed over 6,000 procedures, and they are skilled in carrying out life-saving procedures.

Frequently Asked Question’s About Robotic Surgery

How is the recovery time for robotic surgery compared to traditional surgery?

Robotic surgery has a recovery period of as little as two to three weeks, whereas conventional surgery necessitates a lengthy hospital stay and several months of recuperation. This results from decreased blood loss, discomfort, and infection as well as from minimal invasion.

Is robotic surgery more invasive than traditional surgery?

Because robotic-assisted surgery uses smaller surgical equipment and smaller incisions than traditional surgery, it is less intrusive than traditional surgery. This lowers the chance of infection and minimises blood loss.

Do you heal faster with robotic surgery?

For patients, the main advantage of robotic surgery is a quicker recovery. Patients can resume their regular activities sooner than they could after open or laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery also leaves smaller, less obvious scars and has fewer surgical problems.