Benefits of Robotic Surgery
In the fifties, it was predicted that in 5 years robots would be everywhere.
In the sixties, it was predicted that in 10 years robots would be everywhere.
In the seventies, it was predicted that in 20 years robots would be everywhere.
In the eighties, it was predicted that in 40 years robots would be everywhere ...
The OHSU Robotic Surgery Program
This is the decade of robotic-assisted surgery. Once considered fantasy and an invention of one’s imagination, the surgical robot has become firmly entrenched in the surgical armamentarium. With the evolution of robotic surgery programs, such as the one at OHSU, the reach of the robot’s arms will increase considerably over the next few years.
The development of the surgical robot has advanced the applications of minimally invasive surgery to a wider range and deepening complexity of operations. This is epitomized by the emergence of the robotic prostatectomy as a preferred method for removing cancerous prostate glands. Last year, 43 percent of prostatectomies in the United States were performed using the surgical robot; a two-fold increase from 2003 when the author started using the robot in his practice. This year the percentage is projected to top 60 percent. At our institution, the majority of prostatectomies are being done robotically. The wide-spread acceptance of robotic applications to prostate cancer by urologists has resulted in the expansion of robotic surgery at OHSU and at other centers to kidney cancer (partial and total nephrectomies), bladder cancer (cystectomies) and testicular cancer (retroperitoneal lymphadanectomy [RPLND]). In this manner, we have been able to extend the advantages of minimally-invasive surgery (quicker recuperation, better visualization, less blood loss) to complex cancer and reconstructive operations.
Robotic surgery gets kids up and running faster
As an academic institution, OHSU strives to create a multi-disciplinary and collaborative health care environment. Robotic technology is being exploited by our pediatric urologists to correct congenital anomalies such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ), hydronephrosis, non-functioning renal segments, and both renal and pelvic masses. This provides the child and his or her family the advantages of having complicated reconstruction surgery with a quicker recovery and return to normal activities in addition to smaller and cosmetically-pleasing incisions. The use of robot surgery in the pediatric population is a recent application that places us at the forefront of surgical therapy.
Many physicians and patients favor robotic prostatectomy because of the rapid recovery. All men, however, are not ideal candidates for minimally-invasive prostate surgery. We recommend men who have a diagnosis of prostate cancer contact a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer to ensure all treatment options (surgical and non-surgical) are discussed. At OHSU, a specialty prostate cancer clinic is available for such consultation in which our urologic surgeons will discuss surgery as well as non-surgical alternatives.
The robotic surgery program has also been embraced by most surgical specialties, including gynecologic (for the treatment of urinary incontinence, benign and malignant tumors, and infertility), cardiothoracic (for the treatment of valve disease and coronary artery disease), plastics and reconstructive, and head and neck. Monthly meetings and seminars are being used to educate our surgical colleagues on the relevance and applicability of robotic surgery to conditions traditionally managed with open surgery, as well as methods of maximizing accessibility and availability. These forums have also enabled us to partner with engineering and technology researchers at both OHSU and OGI School of Science & Engineering to develop new technologies to further extend the use of minimally-invasive and robotic surgery.
Yes; this is the decade of robotic-assisted surgery and, by its conclusion, a generation of surgeons will be using the surgical robot in an increasingly wide-range of procedures, providing improved health care and outcomes to our patients.
