Advantages of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

There are misconceptions around robotic-assisted surgery, such as the surgery is performed solely by a robot or that it replaces the need for a surgeon. These ideas are completely false. In fact, robotic-assisted surgery is medical technology that provides a myriad of benefits not only for patients, but also for surgeons, and the health care organizations they work in.

Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure where a surgeon performs the surgery by controlling robotic arms which hold and manipulate surgical instruments. Robotic surgical systems also utilize a high-definition camera that provides the surgeon a clear view of the surgical site on monitors at the console where he or she sits.

Washington Hospital Healthcare System (WHHS) has recently invested in these state-of-the-art robot-assist surgical systems:

• In September 2023 WHHS introduced Aquablation therapy via the AquaBeam Robotic System.
• Urologists use this precise waterjet technology to treat lower urinary tract symptoms in men with enlarged prostates, offering outstanding results.
• Since June 2024, the da Vinci Xi Surgical System has been used by WHHS surgeons who are specially certified in the technology for minimally invasive surgical procedures including gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, cardiac and general surgeries.
• In October 2024, WHHS announced it was the world’s first health care organization to perform 50-plus cases with the TMINI Handheld Robotic Knee System paired with Persona Knee Implants at our Institute for Joint Restoration and Research.

Kranthi Achanta, MD, is a board-certified general, laparoscopic and robotic surgeon. He is a certified specialist in the da Vinci Surgical Suite.
“Robotic-assisted surgery provides surgeons with a three-dimensional image magnified 10 times, so our visibility and precision is considerably improved,” he said. “The robotic arms mimic the movement of a human wrist but with greater range of motion, enabling more precise and flexible instrument handling. Also, the robot has four arms allowing surgeons to use multiple instrument arms simultaneously to perform complex tasks. In addition, surgeons operating a surgical robot sit in an ergonomic chair which minimizes fatigue in their body and hands.”

These advantages, along with smaller incisions needed for minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, result in significant benefits for surgical patients. Benefits include less pain, faster recovery times for a quicker return to normal activity, reduced blood loss, and smaller scars compared to traditional open surgery. Robotic surgery has also been shown to have better overall outcomes and lower complication rates for patients. This means there is a reduced likelihood patients will experience adverse events following the operation, such as infections or bleeding.

Robotic surgery is now being used for many types of surgery and is ideal for certain procedures because it allows surgeons to avoid surrounding nerves and organs and work in small, tight spaces inside the body. Dr. Achanta explains,
“The robot provides us access to areas inside the abdomen where the approach is very difficult with laparoscopic and open surgery. For example, when operating deep in the pelvis, by virtue of their lower profile, the very fine robotic arms don’t obstruct the view of the surgical site or collide with each other like a surgeon’s own hands would.”

Robotic-assisted surgery also has positive impacts for health care organizations that offer this technology. It translates to improved resource management, shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and improved reputation for providing the most advanced technologies. It also boosts recruitment efforts for hospitals looking to attract new surgeons who are likely to be trained in robotic-assist surgery. Clearly, with the many advantages robotic surgery brings patients, surgeons and health care organizations, it is poised to continue shaping the future of health care.

For more information on Dr. Kranthi Achanta and other general surgeons with Washington Township Medical Foundation.