The role of robotic surgery in cancer surgery has grown exponentially in
the last decade. Many units across the globe have successfully adopted
robotic surgery for colorectal cancers.
There are many advantages of robotic surgery in rectal cancers when
compared to laparoscopic or even open surgery. Present-day robotic
systems like the Da Vinci Xi (Which we use at the Nanavati Max hospital)
offer unparalleled dexterity in narrow spaces like the pelvis. The male
pelvis is notoriously narrow and often presents challenges in accessing
the low rectum because of difficult angles in laparoscopic surgery. The
robotic system has 7 degrees of motion which vastly enhances surgical
dexterity.
The camera also provides up to 10x magnification which enables as do
nerve-sparing surgeries more often and with better precision, thereby
preserving the bladder in sexual functions better, especially in male
patients. This is of great importance, especially since a lot of
colorectal patients nowadays are in the younger age group.
The inbuilt ICG system in the Xi da Vinci also enables us to check the
vascularity of the bowel before joining them which reduces the chances
of leakage from the joint site.
One common apprehension among patients is - how can I let a robot operate
on me? I always explain to the patients that finally it is the surgeon
who is operating and the robot is nothing but an advanced
technologically brilliant device whose every movement is controlled by
the surgeon sitting at the console.
Robotic colorectal surgery definitely is a bit more expensive as compared
to open or laparoscopic surgery but offers very clear advantages,
especially for low rectal cancers. Recently robotic staplers are also
available which enables the surgeon to have complete control while
application of the staplers.
At the Nanavati Max institute of Cancer care, we routinely perform
robotic colorectal surgeries with excellent results. Patients usually
sit up and are walking around very comfortably the next day after
surgery and we are usually able to send them home in 3 days' time.
Shorter hospital stay, significantly less pain and quicker return
to work have some great advantages that robotic colorectal surgery
provides.
With more and more such surgeries being performed and more companies
providing this technology, it is only a matter of time before it becomes
more and more affordable to all our patients.