ROBOTIC CANCER SURGERY

ROBOTIC CANCER SURGERY
A diagnosis of cancer could hit one hard. That is why it is important to learn the facts about the condition and the best available options for treatment before choosing the way ahead.
The surgical treatment of cancers has traditionally been by open techniques. Open surgery is associated with a large wound and delayed recovery and return to normal activities. Laparoscopic surgery has been established as a feasible, safe and sound option for certain cancers including colon, endometrial, cervical and esophageal cancer but has limitations imposed by the 2-dimensional image, instruments with limited range of motion and dependence on a trained assistant for holding the camera.
Robotic surgery with the da Vinci System, on the other hand, bestows very high definition and magnified 3-dimensional vision with the camera controlled by the surgeon. The instruments with extreme degrees of freedom (Endo-wristed), enable the surgeon to use instruments in narrow confined spaces, to access difficult to reach cancers, and at angles that are impossible with open or laparoscopic instruments. Motion scaling which allows the surgeon to reduce the degree of instrument movement as a proportion of movement of the surgeon's fingers, enables a greater degree of precision. All these provide the ultimate flexibility and precision for exceptional surgical techniques in cancer surgery.
In cancer surgery, robotic techniques enable a radical operation to be performed with preservation of nerves and other critical structures, due to better visualisation. This is particularly important in rectal, gynaecologic and prostate cancer surgeries. For example, in robotic prostate cancer surgery, every effort is made to spare the nerves. As the nerves and vessels are all magnified and it is much easier to save them and help retain potency.

Patient benefits include:

Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS): This is another type of minimally invasive surgery, specifically designed for patients with head and neck cancer. Here, the surgeon controls the robotic instruments that have been inserted through the mouth. No incisions are needed. In contrast, traditional open surgery requires long incisions through the throat and jaw, which often leave patients with visible scars, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and a lengthy recovery.

Trans Oral Robotic Surgery may be used to treat: