4 Benefits of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s a reality — and actually, it’s been playing an essential role in many medical procedures for decades. Commonly called robot-assisted surgery, the technology is designed to enhance the surgeon’s skills and expertise rather than replace the surgeon entirely.

In robotic surgery, your surgeon uses robotic equipment similar to the way other surgical instruments are used. Special mechanical arms and highly articulated “hands” are controlled by your surgeon using a sophisticated computer interface.

Desert West Surgery is a top-rated provider of robotic surgery for patients in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this post, our team reviews four benefits of this state-of-the-art approach to care.

1. Greater precision and accuracy

Robot-assisted surgery uses special instruments and software to achieve high precision during surgical procedures. In traditional surgery, that level of precision must be achieved through the surgeon’s hand movements, sometimes in very tight spaces or when performing very delicate and complex maneuvers.

In robotic surgery, the surgeon uses a special interface to control the robotic arms and “fingers,” enabling far greater accuracy and precision. Guided by the surgeon, robotic devices “translate” those commands into tight, precise movements required by many types of surgery. 

Surgical robots can perform with such precision their movements exceed the capabilities of human hands. Moreover, those movements are reproducible from one surgery to the next, without concerns about tiny differences that could have major implications for outcomes.

2. Better imaging

The da Vinci surgical system used by our team features advanced 3D imaging technology using state-of-the-art lenses and recording technology. This technology provides a clear, highly detailed view of the surgical site. 

Better imaging allows your surgeon to identify very subtle changes or landmarks that can influence the direction of the surgery. Imaging is performed in real-time, with the ability to capture and store images for future reference.

In addition to high definition, the da Vinci system allows your surgeon to magnify images at varying strengths, providing far greater visibility than could be achieved by the eye alone.

3. Less tissue damage

Traditional surgery requires large incisions to access the surgical site. By contrast, robotic “fingers” and instruments are designed to be used through tiny incisions — just a fraction of the size of a “traditional” incision. 

Smaller incisions mean less tissue damage right from the start, meaning smaller scars and less risk of infection. In addition, the high precision and detailed imaging capabilities allow surgeons to work around muscles and other tissues for greater tissue preservation and less blood loss. 

4. Faster recovery

Finally, from a patient perspective, one of the biggest benefits of robot-assisted surgery is that it may help them heal and recover more quickly. Smaller incisions naturally heal more quickly, and because less tissue is damaged during the procedure, you can experience less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort, too. 

Faster healing helps you get back to your routine while minimizing the risk of complications. And, of course, a quicker recovery means a better emotional outlook, too.

Learn more about robotic surgery

Robotic surgery can offer benefits compared to traditional surgery, but it’s still not always the best choice. During your evaluation, our team will decide which approach offers you the best outcome based on your unique needs.

To learn more about robot-assisted surgery, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.