Robotic Surgery for Cancer Treatment

1. What is Robotic Surgery all about? 

Robotic Surgery is based on the Master and Slave concept where the surgeon controls robotic arms and guides them to perform maneuvers required to complete the surgical procedure. Robotic arms are like our wrists' ability to make 7 different movements that provide 360-degree motion and literally mimic the hands of a surgeon. The advantage which a robot has is that these arms are much thinner than a surgeon's arms and hence can reach in difficult places. This is of great advantage to us in surgeries for cancer. 

2. How Robotics is making cancer surgery safer and more successful? 

Cancer surgery is all about precision and accuracy. The more accurate the surgery is going to be, the better will be the outcome. The use of robotics in any surgery allows better magnification, 3-dimensional vision, and more dexterity. This allows the surgeon to have better control and hence make the surgery more precise and eventually safer for the patient. 

3. Can Robotics improve cancer surgery rate and tackle complicated cancers? 

Robotics has brought a sea change in surgery for cancer. Robotic arms allow us to reach deep-seated difficult areas like the prostate in the pelvic cavity and the base of the tongue in the mouth. We are able to now offer surgery in these areas of the body that we previously thought to be inoperable. Similarly, robotic surgery uses 3d cameras which provide depth perception and make surgery safer. This increases the success rate of cancer surgery. Surgery for thoracic cancers and GI cancers like the colon and rectum have become much safer as robotics provide an added layer of safety. 

4. If the robot performs then what does the surgeon do? 

This is a very important question as it is very commonly asked by almost all our patients. Please understand that there is no artificial intelligence involved in this. The robot cannot think for itself. It just follows the command of the surgeon who is there in the same operating room as the patient and robot. The surgeon controls the robot with his hands and legs. This is similar to controlling a car where the driver is in command and can move in any direction and at any speed as they want. 

5. What is the future of Robotic surgery?

There is a major challenge in the availability and accessibility of robotic surgery in our country. Presently robotic surgery is being offered in metro cities only and that too in major hospitals. Even when it is available, it is not accessible to all patient groups because of prohibitive costs. The next 5 years should see robotic machines percolating into tier 2 cities and a lot of new robotic surgeons being trained. There should be a significant drop in prices too as more and more robots will be available and more and more surgeons will also be available. 

Most of the patients nowadays are actually demanding robotic surgery. The results of robotic surgery are beginning to show and people are now not adverse to getting a robotic surgery done. Also, as the misconceptions about robotic surgery are disappearing, people don't hesitate to opt for robotic surgery. Patients in general are more bothered about the quality of surgery and eventually their quality of life and don't mind spending extra for a more advanced procedure.