Around 15% of surgeries now use robotic surgery technology, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The use of remotely controlled surgical devices is growing in popularity due to the many benefits of robotic surgery. Orthopedic, urology, cardiology, and other medical fields use robotic surgery.
Following the symptoms of a bad gallbladder, your doctor may opt to use the advanced treatment option to address a gallbladder attack. Robotic surgery has grown in popularity for good reason over the past decade. Read on to learn the top seven benefits of using robotic surgery technology.
1. Smaller Incisions
Robotic surgery uses tiny incisions rather than the larger incisions used for a traditional procedure. During a traditional gallbladder removal, the surgeon must make an incision large enough to allow his or her hands to fit inside the body.
With robotic surgery, your surgeon creates a tiny incision. Through this incision, the surgeon place tiny instruments. A small camera inserted through that small incision allows surgeons to view the surgical site.
Rather than place his or her hands inside the body, surgeons work nearby the patient. The small instruments are controlled through a console. Each instrument works in real-time with the hand movements of the surgeon.
2. Reduce Post-Surgery Pain
If you are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder issues, a surgeon can restore your health by surgically removing the gallbladder. Any form of surgery is necessarily somewhat invasive. Recovery time, which may include periods of discomfort, allows your body to heal.
With robotic surgery, the incisions are smaller. This means that the procedure affects less tissue. Patients can expect to experience less pain following robotic surgery.
Small surgical incisions mean fewer post-surgical side effects like swelling and bruising. Those side effects can also be the source of pain during recovery.
Less pain can translate to fewer medications that your doctor will need to prescribe to manage discomfort after surgery.
3. Precise Treatment
Robot-assisted surgery is incredibly precise. Surgeons undergo training to control the robotic arms that perform the surgery. The arms hold specialized instruments.
Surgeons watch high-definition monitors as they manipulate the arms right next to the patient who is undergoing surgery. The technique is called robotic surgery, but your surgeon has full control over the procedure.
Under the control of your surgeon, the arms can make extremely small and controlled movements. The movements would be very difficult to achieve without the aid of robotic arms. Human arms are prone to small involuntary movements while robotic arms are not.
These are all reasons why the advanced technology is used to perform a wide range of surgical procedures — from the removal of cancerous tissue to procedures that repair blood vessels.
4. Less Scarring
Scars are an undesirable and necessary part of any surgery. That doesn’t mean that steps cannot be taken to drastically reduce scarring.
Since scar size is largely a function of the size and type of incision, robotic surgery should be considered by anyone who wishes to reduce the visibility of their surgical scar.
Robotic surgeries require small incisions. The procedures are considered minimally invasive because of the size of the tiny incisions that are made. With careful suturing, the prominence of any scar can be further reduced.
5. Better Outcomes
The outcome of your surgical procedure depends, in part, on the type of surgery you undergo. The high precision of robotic surgery allows the surgical technique to lead to better outcomes.
One recent study that was published by the National Institutes of Health found that robotic surgery had better outcomes than laparoscopic surgery. The review of postoperative outcomes found that robotic surgery offered improved urinary functions.
Better outcomes mean that the goals of your surgery were achieved and you experienced few if any side effects or complications. Robotic surgery often enjoys better outcomes than traditional surgery. This is because there is less loss of blood associated with the technique and fewer stitches.
6. Faster Recovery
Long stays in hospitals are no fun. Patients can reduce their hospital recovery time or recovery time at home by having their procedures performed using robotic technology.
In fact, many patients recover faster after robotic surgery than after laparoscopic surgery. Smaller incisions, precise suturing, and better optics are just a few of the benefits that result in a faster recovery for patients following robotic surgery.
Small incisions and more precise surgical techniques mean that robotic surgery is far less invasive. Few incisions and fewer disturbances to your tissue also mean that you can return to normal life soon.
7. Lower Infection Risk
Signs of a bad gallbladder are only one of the risks of a potential gallbladder infection. Surgery comes with inherent risks of infection. Patients can lower their risk of post-surgery infections by undergoing robotic surgery.
Small incisions and lower levels of blood loss contribute to lower risks of infections. Your surgeon will prescribe medications that reduce your risk of infection following surgery.
Infection is a potentially serious complication. Patients should consider ways to prevent infections whenever possible.
Learn More About the Benefits of Robotic Surgery
The benefits of robotic surgery range from improved surgical outcomes to a lower risk of infection. The advanced surgical technique is now an invaluable surgical option. It can remove cancerous cells or restore circulation to damaged blood vessels.
SURGCO is a world-class team that can fulfill all your robotic surgery needs. We offer the best care possible. Reach out to Dr. John Valentine and our staff by scheduling an appointment today.