KONSTANTINOS M. KONSTANTINIDIS
MD, PhD, FACS
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, USA.
Scientific Medical Director, Athens Medical & Pediatric Center.
Chairman, Dept. of General, Bariatric, Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery.
President, Greek Chapter of American College of Surgeons (ACS-GC)
President of european Society of robotic Surgery (ESRS).
President of Hellenic Scientific Society of robotic Surgery (HSSRS).
3-7, Distomou Str., Marousi, Athens, Greece, 151 25
Tel. +30 2106107165, +30 2106107189
ROBOTIC SURGERY
In recent decades we have experienced a revolution in the domain of surgery. There has been a shift from open surgery to minimally traumatic surgery; that is from established and proven surgical techniques to laparoscopic surgery. In this, the surgeon does not handle the tissues directly, but through a screen with the help of special tools. However, the highlight of the 21st century revolution in the domain of surgery is Robotic surgery, namely the introduction of robotic systems driven by computers, which is called to bridge the gap between the laparoscopic and open surgery. The robotic technology did not come out of thin air. The very same technology has been used to explore areas of outer space and oceans since the 60 ́. In the mid 1980s, the development of microelectronics and computers have given significant impetus to the development of robotic activity, and allowed the construction of smaller robotic systems that will enter the body and conduct surgeries. Digital analysis has made it possible to transfer information over a long distance, and the science of artificial intelligence and engineering were developed to provide modular tools with more degrees of freedom in movement, and more realistic and accurate image of the surgical field.
Robotic surgery offers a number of advantages both to patients and to the surgeon alike.
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Advantages to the patient
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Great reduction of postoperative pain
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Bloodless Surgery
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Faster recovery
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Shorter hospitalization
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Excellent aesthetic result
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Rapid return to the family and work
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Fewer respiratory and cardiovascular complications
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Elimination of postoperative adhesions and their complications
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Minimal postoperative complications associated with trauma (suppuration, cleavage, hernia, chronic pain)
Advantages to the Surgeon
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Three-dimensional image that gives the impression that the surgeon's hands are inside the body
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Coloured, HDTV (High definition), image (1080p)
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Fixed camera image
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Minimal interference in the patient's body
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Possibility for interfering in small and inaccessible spots
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Complete flexibility of tools and precision in millimeter level
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Elimination of the natural horror of hands through an electronic
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Sutures with great ease and precision inside the body
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Easier learning of complex laparoscopic surgeries
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Minimization of physical fatigue of the surgeon
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New technologies, such as the Firefly and the Augmented reality, enhance the skills of the surgeon, to conduct a more efficient and safer surgery.
One of the major advantages of robotic tools is that it can be used in many types of surgical procedures in various parts of the human body. The robotic surgery could be applied in many disciplines of surgery, such as general surgery, morbid obesity, cardiac and thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, paediatric surgery, urology, Gynecology and endocrine surgery. Single Site Robotic Surgery is another recent innovation in the field of surgery. The surgeon is operating again with the help of a robotic system, but all the tools are entering the abdomen through a small incision, only 1.5-2 cm instead of four centimetres. A surgery is placed once again at the forefront of developments in minimally invasive surgery. Apart from the “disappearance“ of surgical scarring, Robotic surgery reduces postoperative pain and enables faster recovery and early discharge from the hospital.
