Surgical Robots may Give Helping Hand in Cancer-related Surgeries

Early detection of cancer is critical to improving the quality of life. Technology companies are working on breakthrough solutions in cancer detection and treatment for the near future, a US expert in robotic surgery has said. Dr //Catherine Mohr, Vice President for Strategy at Sunnyvale-headquartered surgical robot maker, Intuitive Surgical Inc., describes a Stage-1 cancer patient as one facing a 'speed bump' while a Stage-4 cancer patient is closer to 'crashing into a big brick wall', reducing the chances of survival beyond five years.

A patient detected with Stage-4 lung cancer has only a 15 percent chance of survival beyond five years. Early detection of the lung cancer gives patients 80 percent chance of living beyond five years, Dr Mohr said while speaking to 200 Indian Robotic Surgeons.

Surgical Robots are changing the method of accessing the interiors of the body by unambiguously identifying and removing cancerous cells and retaining good cells. Health insurers in many European countries pay a premium for Robotic Surgery because the patients spend less time in hospital and are able to get back to work faster.

Experts allayed fears that a surgical robot may someday replace surgeons, saying that robots will not replace a surgeon anytime soon because a surgeon's experience and surgical judgment cannot be replicated by a machine.

A Surgical Robot scores over conventional modes of surgery as it leads to minimal blood loss, quick healing and less pain, leading to shorter hospital stays. Surgical Robots are being used in almost all specialties involving soft body tissues.

Mr Michael Hall, International Training Manager, Intuitive Surgical unveiled a plan for continuing training for existing Robotic Surgeons and induction of new surgeons. The company will join hands with Vattikuti Foundation to speed up its plan to enhance the pool of robotic surgeons to 500 by 2020.

The Vattikuti Foundation is striving to grow the pool of Robotic Surgeons in the country. Mr Hall recognised 7 Vattikuti Fellows, including one international Vattikuti fellow and 27 Vattikuti Scholars.

Source-Medindia