For many cancer cases, including those involving the head and neck, thorax and lung, thyroid gland, gynaecological, gastro-intestines, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), robotic cancer surgery has emerged as the new standard of care. Whether robotic surgery is appropriate for your specific cancer will be determined by your surgeon.
In oncological cases, our surgeons often prefer robotic surgery to ensure precise removal of difficult-to-reach tumours, speed up operation timelines, or minimise adverse effects for cancer patients who need surgery as part of their treatment.
Robotic surgery does not imply that a robot is carrying out the procedure. Rather, it refers to the situation in which surgeons use robotic instruments to guide the procedure. A close-by console allows surgeons to accurately and remotely control one or more robotic arms used in robotic surgical systems.
Procedures covered under Robotic Cancer Surgery include:
- Urologic (Prostate) Robotic surgery (prostate cancer and kidney cancer)
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thoracic (Esophageal and Lung Cancers)
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) (head and neck cancers)
- Endometrial & cervical (Gynaecological cancers).
- Colorectal cancer (Colon and rectal or bowel cancer).
A fully active fourth generation robotic technology from da vinci helps scale up traditional surgical approach to an enhanced robotic surgical technique. The robotic system:
- Operated under the supervision of an experienced surgeon.
- Offers precision and dexterity in cutting and increased flexibility.
- Enhances the procedure by ensuring maximum accuracy.
- Efficiently manages negative space preventing blood loss & infections.
- Prevents causes and incidence of repeat surgery.
- Robotic arms excel at small, precise incisions w.r.t. surgical oncology.
- All four arms are wristed, offering enhanced manoeuvrability with extreme degrees of flexibility.
- Two arms replicate the surgeon’s movements, one holds a high-resolution 3-D camera, and the fourth is optional for tissue control.
- The high-resolution camera provides panoramic images and improved detail.
- Robotic hands precisely replicate the surgeon’s movements, reducing tremors.
- The console’s design minimises surgeon fatigue during control.
- Seated near the patient, the surgeon remotely controls the robotic arms.
- Dextrous robotic arms execute smooth, effortless motions for minimally invasive procedures.
The Procedure:
Robotic prostate cancer surgery involves a meticulous procedure due to its proximity to nerves crucial for erectile function and urine control. Using the da vinci robotic system surgeons get a precise tool and quicker healing, while safeguarding adjacent nerves of the prostate organ.
The Planning:
- Patients must make an informed decision after thorough counselling with the surgeon regarding the procedure.
- Following this, the patient undergoes advanced screening tests of the specific surgical area.
- These investigation reports help in developing a comprehensive surgical plan tailored to address prostate cancer.
The Execution:
- Patient Connection and Stabilization: The patient is connected to the robotic system and prepared for surgery.
- Surgical Port Insertion: Surgical ports are inserted into the patient, aligning them to provide a 3D view on the surgeon’s camera console.
- Robotic Arm Operation: The surgeon, situated at their console, operates the robotic arms, while the AI replicates these movements on the patient end.
- Procedure Review and Assistance: The robotic system reviews the ongoing procedure and collaborates with the surgeon to execute precise cuts using the robotic arm.
This comprehensive approach ensures that patients undergo a well-planned and meticulously executed robotic surgery for prostate cancer, promoting both precision and a swift recovery.
Conventional cancer surgery and robotic cancer surgery are equally safe. The main aim of the process is to ensure that the cancer affected area is eliminated properly. For complicated procedures, it is important that the negative space is better managed. This is where robotic surgery is safe and more efficient than conventional cancer surgery.
Some of the significant and notable advantages of robot-assisted surgical oncology are:
- Shortened hospital stays
- Reduced pain and blood loss
- Precise surgical cuts for cancerous tissue removal
- Access to delicate areas
- Less scarring due to smaller incisions
- Reduced chances of infection
- Increased clinical outcomes
A Robotic System is a fully automated, active technology. It offers multiple benefits to both the surgeon and the patient. It is the most advanced surgical equipment and the benefits of this robotic system can be summarised as:
- Possibility of doing surgery in constrained bodily areas
- Better visualisation with HD magnified 3D imaging superior to the naked eye.
- Greater precision with minimised human errors using robotic arms.
- Better management of the negative space to restrict spread of cancer
- Instruments with wrists that can rotate and flex far more than a human hand
A cancer diagnosis is a challenging and difficult experience. At the CK Birla Hospital, we ensure that you receive the best cancer care. Robotic cancer surgery uses cutting-edge surgical techniques to enhance your quality of life. Surgical oncology procedures now get the added advantage of accuracy, and precision thanks to this latest medical innovation.
Highlights of the department:
- State-of-the-art cancer care
- Internationally reputed team of robotic surgical oncologists
- Full spectrum of robot-assisted surgical oncology
- Multidisciplinary, team-based care
- Convenient and home-like postoperative care
With its accuracy, less blood loss, decreased discomfort, and lower infection rates, robotic cancer surgery outperforms conventional surgical approaches. It’s an appealing option because of the indisputable benefits in surgical outcomes and patient recovery.
In every case of surgical oncology it is essential to profile the patient based on their current medical condition and their body’s ability to withstand the stress of surgery. While eligibility will depend on the patient’s condition, the surgical technique will ensure diminished chances of blood loss, infections and complications due to surgery.
No. Although both are minimally invasive procedures, laparoscopic procedures involve the surgeon working with tools and instruments in hand.
Whereas, in robot assisted surgery the surgeon gets to use a console and 3D monitor to control the robotic arms that perform the surgery, which offers greater flexibility and range of motion.
The entire procedure is performed by a human using a robotic arm. This means the entire surgery is within the surgeon’s control. Sitting at a console in the operation theatre, the surgeon directs the robotic arms to carry out the procedure. A video camera records the surgery in real-time, providing the surgeon with an enhanced view of the operating area.
No. While each case will depend on the patient’s condition and the body’s capacity to sustain a surgery, in complex, hard to reach, and delicate cases with greater complications surgeons prefer robotic-assisted surgery.
Compared to a human arm, robotic arms have a greater range of motion and flexibility, which guarantees excellent precision and reduces the possibility of mistakes.
Robotic-assisted surgeries have a different set of tools and controls compared to other minimally invasive surgeries. They require specialised equipment and trained medical professionals. At the CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, we have a team of experienced and qualified robotic surgeons who do this with exceptionally good surgical outcomes.
