Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is when your surgeon uses a robotic device to do your procedure. The device has a robotic arm that can hold small surgical instruments. Your surgeon moves the robotic arm using controllers and a viewing screen. Robotic surgery doesn’t replace your surgeon — it’s just one of many methods they use.
What is robotic surgery?
A minimally invasive approach using advanced robotics for precision and better outcomes.
Robotic surgery is an approach healthcare providers use for minimally invasive procedures. The technology consists of three main parts: robotic arms that hold tiny instruments, a high-definition camera that provides enhanced, magnified, 3D views of the surgical area, and a surgical console where your surgeon controls the instruments and the camera’s every move. The controls look similar to joysticks on an arcade game.
Robotic surgery doesn’t replace your surgeon. It’s just one of many methods they use to do procedures. In fact, research shows that robotic surgery offers similar outcomes to laparoscopic surgery.
Surgeons must complete additional, specialized training to do robot-assisted procedures. Some surgeons pursue formal training through minimally invasive and robotic surgery fellowships.
The Three Pillars of Robotic Surgery
Three integrated systems work in perfect harmony to give your surgeon unmatched precision and control.
Robotic arms hold tiny surgical instruments with precision that exceeds the natural range of motion of a human hand. They rotate instruments in tight spaces in ways that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, enabling surgery within your body through very small incisions.
A sophisticated endoscope provides magnified, high-definition 3D views of the surgical area — far superior to the naked eye. This enhanced visualization allows your surgeon to see with extraordinary clarity throughout the entire procedure.
Your surgeon sits at a console a few feet away, controlling the robotic arm and camera with precision instruments that look similar to joysticks. Every movement is translated with exact accuracy, filtering out any natural hand tremors for flawless control.
What happens during robot-assisted surgery?
The techniques used during robotic surgery are like the ones used during open, traditional surgery. The main difference is how your surgeon accesses the surgical area.
Instead of making one large incision, your surgeon makes a few small incisions. The surgical instruments require less space to do their job, which limits the need to push tissue, muscle and organs aside.
Ports (thin tubes) are placed through the incisions. The ports are like temporary tunnels for the surgical instruments, allowing them to be introduced and guided precisely to the surgical site.
The robotic device is attached to the ports and instruments are placed through them. A long, thin camera (endoscope) is placed through one of the ports, providing high-definition, 3D images throughout the procedure.
Your surgeon controls the robotic arm while sitting at a console a few feet away from you, with an unparalleled view of the surgical area and complete precision control over every instrument.
After the surgery is complete, the surgical instruments and ports are removed. Your surgeon closes the small incisions with sutures, leaving you with minimal scarring and faster healing.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
Compared to traditional open surgery, robot-assisted surgery offers significant benefits for patients and surgeons alike.
Smaller incisions and more precise surgical technique result in significantly less postoperative pain and discomfort compared to traditional open surgery.
Smaller incisions and minimal exposure of internal tissues reduce the risk of post-surgical infection, leading to safer outcomes and more predictable healing.
The precision of robotic instruments minimizes tissue trauma and blood vessel disruption, resulting in significantly less blood loss during and after the procedure.
Patients typically go home the same day or the next day, compared to multi-day stays required after traditional open surgery — getting you back to life faster.
The small incisions required for robotic surgery leave minimal scarring compared to the large incisions of traditional open surgery, resulting in better cosmetic outcomes.
The robotic arm’s movements have a greater range of motion than a human hand, rotating instruments in tight spaces in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Clinical Outcomes
Overall success rate for robot-assisted surgery
Disadvantages & Considerations
Robot-assisted surgery is only available in centers that have specially trained surgeons. It’s important to understand the potential limitations.
Robot-assisted surgery is only available in centers with specially trained surgeons — not every hospital offers this technology.
Complications such as scar tissue from a past surgery may require your surgeon to switch to an open procedure with larger incisions.
As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of nerve damage or compression, though this risk is generally lower with robotic techniques.
Robotic malfunction is an extremely rare occurrence. Surgical teams are trained to handle any technical issues safely should they arise.
Recovery from Robotic Surgery
In general, recovery is much shorter compared to traditional surgery. Here’s what to expect.
Depending on the procedure type and your overall health, you may be able to get out of bed and move around relatively soon after surgery.
Many patients are able to eat within a few hours of surgery, as the minimally invasive approach causes less disruption to the digestive system.
Most patients are able to go home the same day or the next day following robotic surgery, significantly shorter than traditional open surgery stays.
- Take it easy for a few days or however long your surgeon recommends.
- Resume everyday activities gradually. If you’re not on prescription pain medications, you can start driving when you’re ready.
- Don’t lift anything heavy until you follow up with your surgeon.
- Watch for symptoms of infection (like warmth, pus or discoloration) near your incision site.
- Take medications for pain or constipation as prescribed by your surgeon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about robotic surgery.
-
Robotic surgery isn’t “better” than other types of surgery. It’s one of many approaches, and surgeons choose it on a case-by-case basis. They’ll consider factors like the type of surgery you need, your overall health, your surgeon’s expertise, and technological limitations.
-
You’ll be under general anesthesia during your procedure, so you won’t feel anything. How much discomfort you have after surgery depends on a few factors, like which procedure you had and how well your body tolerates pain. After surgery, it’s normal to have some discomfort. But most people report less bleeding and postoperative pain, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery.
-
Robot-assisted surgery currently has an overall success rate of 94% to 100%. Individual success rates depend on what type of procedure you need, your general health and other factors. Your Mitra specialist will provide a detailed picture specific to your case.
-
Yes. Surgeons must complete additional, specialized training to do robot-assisted procedures. Some surgeons pursue formal training through minimally invasive and robotic surgery fellowships. At Mitra, all our surgeons are fully trained and certified in robotic techniques.
-
In general, recovery is much shorter compared to traditional surgery. Depending on the procedure type and your overall health, you may get out of bed shortly after anesthesia wears off, be able to eat within a few hours of surgery, and go home the same day or next day. You’ll receive at-home care instructions specific to the procedure you had.
-
Research shows that robotic surgery offers similar outcomes to laparoscopic surgery. The key advantage of robotic surgery is the greater range of motion for the instruments, superior 3D visualization for the surgeon, and better ergonomics — which can be particularly beneficial for complex or lengthy procedures.
Ready to Explore Robotic Surgery?
Talk to one of Mitra’s expert surgeons to understand whether robotic surgery is the right option for your specific condition. No pressure, no rush.