TITLE:
Gynecological Surgery and the Robot
AUTHORS:
O. E. O’Sullivan, B. A. O’Reilly
KEYWORDS:
da Vinci Surgical System; Gynecology; Training; Ergonomics
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.6 No.2,
January
28,
2014
ABSTRACT: As the only
robotic device with FDA approval for gynecological surgery, the da Vinci? Surgical System dominates
robot-assisted surgery in the field. Benefits to the Surgeon include decreased
risk of neck and back injury secondary to improved ergonomics. However,
patients benefit greatly due to decreased length of stay, decreased blood loss
and analgesic requirements. Unfortunately the initial economic impact of
purchasing and maintaining a robot is great but must be balanced with the potential savings from reduced
length of stay and earlier return to normal activity. This article looks at the
indications for robot-assisted surgery in gynecology. Assessing the efficacy of
this modality compared to both straight stick (Laparoscopy) and open procedures. We discuss the impact and
implications for surgical training imposed by robotic surgery. Furthermore, we
assess the safety of robotic surgery from both the surgeons prospective and as
a surgical modality.