Robotic Surgery Center

What Is the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System? Which Operations Is It Used For? What Are Its Advantages?

Robotic surgery is the most advanced form of minimally invasive (closed) surgery. Thanks to high-resolution 3D cameras controlled by the surgeon from a console and robotic arms with far greater range of motion than the human wrist, procedures can be performed with millimetric precision even in the narrowest spaces.

The operation is carried out entirely under the surgeon's control. The robot simply refines the surgeon's hand movements, eliminating tremor and maximizing the safety of the operation.

The Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System is an advanced technology that has been used successfully in more than 17.6 million operations worldwide. FDA-approved in 2000, the system allows surgeons to operate through smaller incisions. As a result, post-operative recovery time is shorter and the risk of infection is reduced. In this article, we take a detailed look at what the robotic surgery system is, which operations it is used for and the advantages it offers you. We also explain the surgeon's role in the robotic system and answer frequently asked questions.

What Is the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System?

Da Vinci robotic surgery is a minimally invasive method that allows surgeons to reach organs and tissues inside the patient's body through small incisions. In this system, the operation is not performed by a robot; it is an advanced technology that assists the surgeon. The surgeon sits at a special console and performs the operation by controlling the robotic arms.
The most important feature of the system is that it transfers the surgeon's hand movements to the surgical instruments in real time. The robotic arms can make movements that are more precise and tremor-free than a human hand. Thanks to the imaging system, the surgeon sees the operating field in high-resolution 3D images magnified 10 times compared with the human eye.

Which Operations Is Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Used For?

The Da Vinci robotic surgery system is used safely in many different specialties. Thanks to its minimally invasive features, a wide range of operations is performed, from urology to gynecology and from cardiac surgery to thoracic surgery.

Urology

Urology is the field in which robotic surgery is most widely used. Prostate cancer operations (radical prostatectomy) are among the procedures most frequently performed with this system. Surgeons remove the prostate with tremor-filtered, millimetric movements under magnified 3D vision.
Kidney tumor operations are also performed successfully with the robotic system. These procedures, called partial or radical nephrectomy, involve the partial or complete removal of the kidney. The da Vinci robot is also used in operations such as bladder cancer, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and kidney transplantation.

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General Surgery

The robotic system is frequently used in general surgery. Effective results are achieved in the treatment of colorectal cancers, diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. Its nerve-sparing capability provides a major advantage in rectal surgery.

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Gynecologic Oncology

Robotic surgery is widely preferred in gynecologic operations. Procedures such as surgery for uterine and cervical cancers, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and myomectomy (removal of large fibroids) are performed with the robotic system.
Endometriosis treatment and ovarian cyst surgery are also among robotic surgical procedures. Robotic surgery offers surgeons a significant advantage especially in delicate interventions such as suspension of the uterus and vagina. According to 2013 data, the number of robotic operations in gynecology even exceeds that in urology.

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Thoracic Surgery Operations

Lung cancer operations are performed successfully with robotic surgery. Robotic surgery can be applied to all types of lung cancer considered suitable for surgery. Removal of lung nodules, treatment of mediastinal masses and cysts, thymus gland tumors (thymoma) and diaphragm surgery are the areas where the robotic method is used most often.
Technically, robotic surgery has advantages over open and closed (laparoscopic) methods. The robotic arms can reproduce a person's hand and wrist movements instantly.

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Cardiovascular Surgery

Robotic surgery is widely used for cardiovascular conditions. Interventions such as mitral valve repair, coronary bypass, rhythm disorders and repair of holes in the heart are performed with the da Vinci system. Valve operations are performed through an incision of 2-3 cm.

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Head and Neck Surgery

The robotic system is revolutionary in head and neck surgery. Laryngeal cancers, removal of tumors through the mouth and tongue base surgery are performed with robotic surgery. Thanks to the robot's multi-directional arms and 3D imaging, hard-to-reach tissues can be treated safely.
Robotic surgery also stands out in the treatment of sleep apnea. In patients with an enlarged tongue base or a long epiglottis, the operation can be performed by entering through the mouth with the robot, without any external incision.

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What Are the Advantages of Da Vinci Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery technology offers important benefits to both surgeons and patients. With this system, operations become safer, more precise and more comfortable.

Advantages for Surgeons

Surgeons perform the operation seated at a special console. This ergonomic position reduces physical fatigue during long operations. Working comfortably instead of standing increases concentration and lowers stress levels.

The high-resolution 3D camera system shows the operating field magnified 10 times. Areas that normally cannot be seen with the naked eye can be examined closely. This makes small vessels, nerves and delicate tissues clearly visible. Because depth perception is provided, the surgeon can evaluate the operating area as a whole.

The robotic arms perform movements that the human hand cannot. The arms can rotate through 720 degrees and do not tremble. Physiological tremors in the surgeon's hand are completely filtered out by the system, making it possible to work with millimetric precision. In addition, the robotic arms can reproduce a person's hand and wrist movements instantly.

Because several robotic arms can work at the same time, techniques that would normally be complex or impossible become easier to apply. Since the surgeon controls the camera personally, they can see any part of the operating field at any moment.

Advantages for Patients

Da Vinci robotic surgery offers patients many advantages:

• Small incisions: Operations are performed through holes of a few millimeters. This leaves less scarring and a better cosmetic appearance.

• Less pain: Because small incisions are used, post-operative pain is kept to a minimum. Patients need fewer painkillers.

• Less blood loss: Being able to see even the smallest vessel in high resolution and control it immediately greatly reduces blood loss. Most operations do not require a blood transfusion.

• Faster recovery: Less tissue damage speeds up healing. Patients return to their daily lives sooner.

• Short hospital stay: The length of hospital stay is significantly shorter than after open surgery, allowing early discharge.

• Low risk of infection: Small incisions reduce the risk of infection. Because robotic arms can be disinfected more effectively than the human hand, the operating field is kept more sterile.

There is a particularly important advantage in cancer treatment: patients who need chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery can start these treatments earlier.

Differences Compared with Conventional Surgery

In open surgery, a large incision is made in the abdomen, which causes more pain after the operation. In robotic surgery, the procedure is carried out through a few small openings in the abdomen. As a result, patients get back on their feet and are discharged more quickly.

In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon works with a two-dimensional image. Da Vinci robotic surgery, by contrast, provides three-dimensional imaging, which gives the surgeon a sense of depth. Moreover, while instrument mobility is limited in laparoscopic surgery, robotic arms can move flexibly in every direction.

Because geometrically more accurate and precise surgical repairs can be made, functionally and cosmetically more successful results are achieved. Especially in prostate and bladder cancer operations, blood vessels and nerve structures are better preserved. For this reason, urinary incontinence or erectile problems after surgery are seen much less often.

Frequently Asked Questions About Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

Where Are the Surgical Incisions Made?

In robotic surgery, the location of the incisions depends on the type of operation. In abdominal or pelvic operations, 4-5 small incisions are made around the navel and in the lower abdomen. In thoracic surgery, 4-5 small incisions are made between the ribs.

These incisions are usually 0.5-1 cm in size. In some operations, openings of 8-15 millimeters are made. Because they leave minimal scarring after surgery, they offer a cosmetic advantage. With the Da Vinci Single Port system, the operation is performed through a single small incision of about 2.4 cm, which reduces visible surgical scarring.

How Long Does the Operation Take?

The duration of robotic surgery varies depending on the type of operation and the patient's condition. A robotic surgical procedure usually takes between 1 and 4 hours, including system setup.

Prostate or uterine surgery takes 2-4 hours, kidney or colon surgery 3-5 hours, and cardiac surgery 4-6 hours. An average robotic prostate operation takes 2 to 3 hours, although in some cases this may be as short as 90 minutes or extend to 4 hours. The surgeon's experience, the patient's anatomy and any additional procedures affect the duration of the operation.

What Is the Recovery Process After Surgery Like?

Recovery after Da Vinci robotic surgery is faster and more comfortable than after conventional open surgery. Depending on the operation, the hospital stay is between 1 and 4 days. After most robotic surgical procedures, patients stay in hospital for 1 to 4 days. About 95% of patients have gone home by the second day after surgery.

Pain is brought under control within the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Because there is no large incision, the level of pain is low. On the first day, painkillers are given intravenously or as tablets. Pain is usually easily controlled with mild painkillers.
Patients start walking a few hours after surgery or at the latest the next morning. Early mobilization is important for recovery and for reducing the risk of blood clots. Eating resumes on the same day or the day after surgery. Once bowel movements return, patients start with liquids and soon move on to solid food.

About 90% of patients return to their routine work by the 3rd week after surgery. With the Da Vinci SP approach, based on the experience of international centers, the goal is usually a hospital stay of less than 24 hours and a return to daily life with earlier mobilization.

Can Surgery Be Performed Remotely?

In theory, the da Vinci robotic surgery system makes it possible for a surgeon to operate from another city or country. However, even in live broadcasts there is the problem of the image reaching the other side with a delay of a few seconds. Because such delays could pose a risk in delicate surgical interventions, remote surgery is not currently considered practically feasible.

Nevertheless, advances in technology are promising. Surgeons have successfully operated on a patient 17,000 kilometers away using a remotely controlled robotic system. Performed over a high-speed 5G connection with millisecond-level latency, the operation was successful both technically and in terms of medical outcomes. As technological advances resolve latency issues, remote surgical operations may become safer.