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The leading healthcare providers recently unveiled The Da Vinci Surgical System - the Next Generation Robotic Technology in Healthcare. The latest technology helps perform the next generation form of minimally invasive or laparoscopic (small incision) surgery, thus, taking surgical procedures leaps and bounds from traditional open surgeries. Max Hospital, Saket is one of the first hospitals in India to bring this technological boon to its patients. Since then, the hospital has treated over 65 patients in the past 5 months. These surgeries include disciplines like urology, surgical oncology and gynaecology.
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Dr.Anant Kumar, Director of Urology, Robotics and Renal Transplant at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, commented “Robotic surgery is one of the most advanced forms of surgery that is surfacing in the medical sector today. It will be beneficial for both patients and medical practitioners by enhancing skill sets, medical costs, aesthetic and cosmetic benefits and other such advantages. The state-of-the-art Da Vinci surgical robot available at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, allows surgeons to perform complex Urology surgery through tiny incisions using robotic technology. Surgical robots are self-powered, computer-controlled devices that can be programmed to aid in the positioning and manipulation of surgical instruments. The robot’s “hands” have a high degree of dexterity, allowing surgeons the ability to operate in very tight spaces in the body that would otherwise only be accessible through open (long incision) surgery. This will represent a tremendous advancement in the field of surgical procedures.”
Robot- assisted surgeries are currently revolutionising the way surgeries are conducted across the globe. In 5 years alone, multi-disciplinary robotic surgery has proved its efficacy in India. Such surgeries involve minimal blood loss, quick recovery, shorter hospital stay and a faster return to the normal life. This is extremely beneficial for patients as the word ‘surgery’ is commonly received with a feeling increasing dread. Additionally, it also benefits hospitals as it’s a swifter and more accurate way to treat, with minimal risk of infections. With a population of almost 2 billion and only 12 centres offering the advanced services, India is feeling the heat of investing in the technological boon to bring it to the masses. However, the journey will not be a swift one. Robotic surgery not only requires investment in world-class technology but also special training of existing experts to understand the nuances of implementing the technology to conduct surgeries.
How the Da Vinci Xi model (4th generation) functions:
• The surgeon works from a computer console in the operating room, controlling miniaturized instruments mounted on three robotic arms to make tiny incisions in the patient.
• The surgeon looks through a 3-D camera attached to a fourth robotic arm, which magnifies the surgical site.
• The surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements are transmitted through the computer console to the instruments attached to the robot’s arms. The mimicked movements have the same range of motion as the surgeon allowing maximum control.
• The surgical team supervises the robot at the patient’s bedside.
