What Is Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery, also called robotic-assisted surgery, is a way of performing minimally invasive surgical procedures using instruments attached to a robotic arm controlled by a surgeon. While “robot” is in the name, your surgeon is always fully in control of the operation, with the robotic arm precisely mirroring their movements.
If you or a loved one is scheduled to have robotic surgery, it’s helpful and comforting to learn about this safe and effective approach to surgical procedures.
What Types of Procedures Can Be Performed with Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery can be used for many types of minimally invasive surgeries. At Baptist Health, our surgeons have expertise in a wide variety of procedures, including bariatric, gallbladder, inguinal hernia repair, ventral hernia repair, acid reflux, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, and spleen surgeries, to name just a few.
And the good news for patients is that the technology used for robotic surgery continues to be enhanced and expanded into new areas.
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What Are the Benefits of Robotic Surgery?
In certain circumstances, robotic surgery has several advantages over traditional “open surgery,” including:
- Enhanced view. The surgeon sees the area or structure that they’re operating on in a high-resolution, highly magnified view — a clearer and more comprehensive perspective than if they were standing beside the operating table.
- Greater range of motion. The surgeon can perform movements that would be difficult to execute in open surgery.
- Less blood loss and pain. Because there’s less disturbance of tissues, robotic surgery produces less blood loss and less postoperative pain in patients.
- Lower infection risk. Since only a small opening is made in the skin, there’s less risk of infection.
- Faster recovery. Less trauma to tissue means faster recovery for patients.
Is Robotic Surgery Safe?
Robotic surgery is safe, effective, and cleared by applicable regulatory agencies. At Baptist Health, we use state-of-the-art robotic surgery technology from da Vinci Systems for general surgery and Globus Medical neurosurgery. And while the advanced technology assists the surgeon, they’re in complete control of the procedure from start to finish.
Is Robotic Surgery Always the Best Option?
Robotic surgery can’t always be used and isn’t always the best option. In some cases, open surgery is the best way to achieve the desired outcome. If you need surgery, your Baptist Health physician can talk with you about the best approach for your situation.
Learn More About Surgical Services at Baptist Health
Whether you’ll be having open surgery or robotic surgery, you can get more information about Baptist Health Floyd’s surgical services online and from your Baptist Health provider. The more you know about the excellent care you’ll receive, the more comfortable you’ll be when it’s time for your procedure.
Next Steps and Useful Resources:
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Learn More About Our Surgical Services
How Does Robotic Surgery Work?
Minimally Invasive Surgery
