How Robotic-Assisted Surgery Works
As with conventional laparoscopy, instruments and cameras are inserted through small incisions. With the da Vinci® Surgical System, however, surgeons have three-dimensional (versus two-dimensional) visualization, better instrument control and precision, and better dexterity. Conventional laparoscopic instruments are rigid with no wrists. The da Vinci® instruments have jointed wrists, which rotate 360 degrees and exceed the natural range of motion of the human hand without any tremor. The results? Unparalleled dexterity for complex procedures as well as easier and faster suturing, which can greatly expands what can be done for patients, according to Dr. Galland, an obstetrician and gynecologist who performs robotic-assisted surgery at Marin General Hospital.
A surgeon controls all instruments and movements. The system scales, filters and seamlessly translates the surgeon’s movements into more precise movements through its robotic instruments. Surgeons sit at a console in the operating room and control four interactive robot arms that operate on the patient using a high performance vision system.
During conventional laparoscopic surgery, surgeons stand using hand-held, long-shafted instruments, which have no wrists. They must look up and away from the instruments to a nearby two-dimensional monitor to see the operating field and rely on a surgical assistant to position the camera correctly. This makes complex operations more difficult and results in greater surgeon fatigue.