Robotic Surgery (da Vinci)

Robotic surgery at a glance

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure using robotically assisted devices to perform complex surgical maneuvers not possible for a surgeon to execute.
The da Vinci robotic surgery system is a leading brand that offers patients a less invasive option resulting in faster recovery times, less scarring and reduced pain.
Robotic surgery carries similar risks to traditional surgery such as blood loss, infection and adverse anesthesia reaction.
The CU Gynecology Oncology division leads development and implementation of surgical protocol for this robotic surgery system.

What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery, a minimally invasive surgical method commonly used in complex surgeries, uses robotically controlled devices to operate on the patient. A surgeon’s hands direct the robot, which makes the only contact with the patient’s body, by using a computer interface within the console portion of the device. Robotic surgery results in far more precise movements than the surgeon could perform on his or her own, including performing surgery in small, confined spaces. The da Vinci machine is a commonly used surgical robotic device.

Gynecologic oncology surgeons may perform robotic surgery in a hysterectomy, endometriosis surgery, uterine fibroid removal, to treat excessive vaginal bleeding, and to treat and remove cervical or uterine cancers.

The surgeon operates and controls the da Vinci system by sitting in a console with an attached viewer that produces high-definition, 3D images of the surgery area. The patient lies on a bed located next to the console that is connected to the larger da Vinci system. As the surgeon views the images, he or she guides the robotic instruments (the robotic arm) to perform all incisions and movements of the surgery.

Benefits of robotic surgery

The primary benefit of performing da Vinci robotic surgery is that it is far less invasive than traditional open surgery. Because of the less invasive nature of the procedure patients experience several ancillary benefits, such as:

Speedier recovery
Reduced scarring
Less pain
Decreased risk of infection
Reduced post-surgery complications.

Risks & side effects of robotic surgery

Although far less invasive than traditional surgery, robotic surgery and da Vinci methods do carry some safety considerations and possible side effects. These include blood loss during the surgery, loss of instrument device in a patient’s body, along with anesthesia risks applicable to any surgery.

Following surgery, some patients may continue to experience bleeding, a urinary tract infection, heart attack or irregular heartbeat, blood clots, hernia or a blocked intestine or small bowel. Sometimes these reactions and conditions will go away on their own, but other times medications or readmission to the hospital may be required.

CU’s da Vinci system training program

The da Vinci system is complex and training properly is crucial for successful surgical outcomes. No current national training standard exists for da Vince use. The CU Gynecology Oncology division leads national development and implementation of surgical protocol for this robotic surgery system.