Robotic surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is done using robotic systems. Robotically-assisted surgery 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 like Laparoscopy.
Laparoscopy is a way of doing the surgery using small incisions (cuts). It is different from “open” surgery where the incision on the skin can be several inches long. Laparoscopic surgery sometimes called “minimally invasive surgery.”
Laparoscopic surgery allows a surgeon to perform complex procedures within the abdomen without having to place his hands directly into the body cavity. This is achieved by using miniaturized instruments placed through portals, called trocars, inserted through keyhole size incisions made in the abdomen. The abdominal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a working space for the surgeon to operate in. Visualization of the internal anatomy is provided by a high definition, a digital camera attached to a telescope lens inserted through one of the trocar sites. As the incision size tends to be smaller than for open surgery, postoperative pain is reduced in addition to blood loss and transfusions.
Advantages of Laparoscopic/Robotic Surgery
Less pain and scarring
Less blood loss
Fewer blood transfusions
Less risk of infections
Shorter hospital stay
Faster return to normal activities
Difference Between Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery
They are both minimally invasive procedures that provide you with the most precise surgery and the shortest recovery, but a few key differences exist: