Use of Da Vinci Robot in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Intuitive Surgical designed and developed a robotic surgical system called the "da Vinci Robot Surgical System". It is designed in facilitating complex surgery by using a minimally invasive approach during the entire procedure.
This da Vinci robot surgical system is controlled by a surgeon from a remote console, usually located a few feet away from the operation table, or may even be in adjoining room. Currently, it is commonly used for prostatectomies, and has seen increasing use for cardiac valve repair and gynaecologic surgical procedures. The da Vinci System comprises a surgeon’s console, which is typically in the same room as the patient and a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, which are controlled from the console. Three of the arms are for tools that hold objects, act as a scalpel, scissors, bovie, or unipolar or bipolar electrocautery instruments. The fourth arm is for an endoscopic camera with two lenses, which gives the surgeon full stereoscopic vision from the console. The surgeon seated on the console, looks through two eyeholes at a 3-D image of the procedure, meanwhile manoeuvring the arms with 2 foot-pedals, and 2 hand controllers. The da Vinci System scales, filters and translates the surgeon's hand movements into more precise micro-movements of the instruments, which operate through small incisions in the body.

A minimally invasive surgical technique for complex urological surgery is the robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, or Da Vinci robotic surgery. This system has been used for radical prostatectomy (prostate gland removal), nephrectomy (kidney removal), and pyeloplasty (repair of narrowed ureters), amongst many other complex procedures. In patients requiring radiation therapy, brachytherapy (seed implant) is a minimally invasive option where permanent radioactive tiny rice grain-sized seeds are inserted through the skin in the perineum (between the scrotum and anus) under ultrasound guidance. The key benefits of Da Vinci robotic surgery include faster recovery from smaller incision wounds and less pain, lower blood loss and reduced need for transfusion, better vision and tissue dissection from a magnified view and use of special robotic instruments. Major surgery performed through the smallest of incisions has the benefits of a definitive treatment. However, it also brings along with it, the potential for significantly less pain, a shorter hospital stay, faster return to normal daily activities – as well as the potential for better clinical outcomes. With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons and hospitals are witnessing a change in the experience of complicated and critical surgical procedures. With a breakthrough in surgical technology, a new category of minimally invasive surgery brings along greater effectiveness, lesser surgical injuries and scars, and faster healing process in a patient. It is an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy. Through the use of the da Vinci Robot Surgical System, surgeons can now offer a minimally invasive option for complex surgical procedures. Currently, the da Vinci robot is being used in numerous domains such as urology, general surgery, gynecology, cardio-thoracic, pediatric and ENT surgery. It provides several advantages to conventional laparoscopy such as 3D vision, motion scaling, intuitive movements, visual immersion and tremor filtration.