Robotic colon surgery

Robotic colon surgery or robotic colectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of the colon or rectum. It is a minimally invasive surgical method, which offers the greatest precision to the doctor and the best postoperative course for the patient. In the event that part of the large intestine is removed, the two healthy parts that remain are connected through an anastomosis, a procedure carried out intracorporeally.

In which cases is robotic colon surgery applied?

Robotic colectomy is applied in the same cases as conventional, both for the prevention and treatment of colon diseases. In particular, it is applied to deal with situations such as:

• Colon bleeding
• Bowel obstruction
• Diverticulitis
• Idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases
• Colorectal cancer

Comparison of conventional and robotic colectomy

Traditionally, colectomy was done open and the surgeon made large incisions in the lower abdomen to perform the operation. This presented numerous disadvantages, chief among them severe post-operative pain and high chances of infection of the incisions.The recovery was extremely slow, compared to other methods, and the hospitalization lasted several days. For these reasons, the laparoscopic method of colon surgery was preferred. The necessary incisions were fewer, only 4-5, and their size did not exceed half a centimeter.

Τoday, robotic colectomy is revolutionizing the field of minimally invasive surgery. The number of surgical incisions is extremely small, while their size does not exceed that of a few millimeters. As an evolution of laparoscopic surgery, the robotic method combines the possibility of small and minimal incisions with all the advantages of the robotic system.

Advantages of robotic colectomy

In relation to the conventional open method, but also to laparoscopic surgery, robotic colectomy presents significant advantages.

During surgery:

• The necessary incisions are fewer and smaller, compared to other methods.
• Blood loss is minimized, thus reducing the risk of complications.
• The need for permanent mouths (unlike a seat) is reduced.
• The chances of changing the surgical plan from minimally invasive to open are reduced, since the robotic technique offers excellent visibility of the surgical field.

Post-operative:

• The patient’s pain is minimized.
• The patient’s hospital days are reduced, offering a faster recovery and return to daily activities.
• The surgical wound is smaller, so its chances of infection are minimized.

NOTES robotic colectomy

NOTES robotic colectomy is the most modern method of performing colectomy. This particular method combines all the advantages of the robotic technique mentioned above, but without making the slightest incision.

Robotic colection, despite the minimal invasiveness that distinguishes it, is carried out through very small incisions. However, the NOTES robotic colectomy is performed through the body’s natural openings, such as the anus and vagina.

The advantages that come to be added to those that distinguish robotic colectomy are the following:

• Faster bowel function
• No use of opioids
• Almost non-existent postoperative pain
• Minimizing the possibility of post-operative infections
• Immediate return to daily activities
• Elimination of the possibility of postoperative hernias

What procedure is followed in robotic colon surgery?

Robotic colectomy is the most modern surgical method for treating colon cancer. The surgeon does not stand over the patient, but sits at the robotic console. From there, he manipulates the robotic tools with great precision through special remote controls.Thus, the robotic arms carry out with extreme precision the movements that the surgeon’s hands would carry out, approaching even the most difficult places.

The surgeon uses a high-definition 3D camera, which magnifies the image up to 10 times. This offers the ability to monitor body structures in a way that could not be achieved through other methods.Various hard-to-reach parts of the body, such as the inside of the large intestine, can now be accessed with ease.

Robotic Colon Surgery via da Vinci and Firefly

During the surgery, the surgeon can use a new robotic technology, which is called “Firefly”. According to her, the patient is given a harmless substance, IndoCyanine Green. This substance helps to correctly visualize the perfusion points of the large intestine.This indication is very important for the Surgeon, since it indicates the exact point of cross section and reattachment of the intestine. Firefly technology is integrated into the da Vinci robotic system, which is widely used for robotic colectomy surgery.

 

The specialized surgeon Dr. Thalia Petropoulou is a Certified Consultant Lower Gastrointestinal Surgeon. She is the only holder of the International Colon Robotic Scholarship in Greece, and is fully trained in da Vinci minimally invasive surgical practices. Contact us with any questions you have about robotic colon surgery.