The da Vinci Surgical System, produced by the American company Intuitive Surgical, is a recent addition to the range of minimally invasive surgery options available in India. Approved by the FDA in 2000, it is named after the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. This advanced platform replaces open surgery and conservative laparoscopy by placing the surgeon’s skills onto a robotic platform. There are five main parts of the robotic surgical system, including the surgeon’s console, image processing equipment, patented Endowrist instruments, surgical arm cart, and hi-resolution 3-D endoscope.
The benefits of the system include
- Significantly less pain
- Decreased blood loss
- Minimal scarring
- Shorter recovery times
- Reduced risk of infection and complications
- Increased range of motion
- Faster return to normal daily activities
Surgeons can also benefit from several features offered by the equipment, such as a 10x magnification that enables them to see with greater clarity The computerized 3D visualization feature enhances depth perception, while automation increases precision.
With the da Vinci system, surgeons have the option of selecting from a variety of instruments to perform specific surgical tasks with greater rigor and control. The surgery preparation involves using MRI or CT scans to identify the exact position of the invasion site, followed by setting the reports into the da Vinci system for increased accuracy. During surgery, the patient lies on their back while an incision of 1-2 cm is made at the target location, using a robotic arm, with directions provided by the surgeon. The surgeon directs the robotic arms of the machine by sitting at the console and accesses the target anatomy with accurately controlled EndoWrist instruments. After surgery, the main benefit is reduced time to return to normal life, which is possible through this surgery, unlike traditional methods