Home 🡪 Robotic Cancer Surgery In Mumbai

Robotic Cancer Surgery In Mumbai

robotic-cancer-surgery

Traditional cancer surgery meant open surgeries with long incisions that are associated with significant pain and relatively slow recovery. WIth the advent and incorporation of minimal access surgery ( keyhole surgery) in cancer treatment now it is possible to get all its benefits similar to non cancer surgeries.

Robotic surgery is the latest innovation in minimal access surgery where a robot is utilized to perform a precision surgery. Unlike the popular belief the robot does not operate in a robotic surgery !!! It’s still the surgeon who operates,but using a robot.
Another term for robotic surgery is robot-assisted surgery.

There are several unique features in a robotic surgical system.

Some of them are,

  1. 3-D vision
  2. Fine motion scaling – where the surgeon can scale down the magnitude of his hand movements
  3. Tremor elimination
  4. Stable platform that is not dependent on assistant surgeons and staff.
  5. Instruments that have 7 degrees of freedom similar to the human hand. This enables precision surgery in complex areas.
  6. Additional features to assess the blood supply to organs to ensure proper healing.

Your surgeon will determine whether you are the right candidate for robotic surgery for your particular cancer.
Based on your eligibility, your surgeon will design a surgical treatment plan that is ideal for your case.

What is the procedure for robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is an advanced and innovative minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon sits on a computer (console) outside the operation theater to perform surgery with a computer-controlled robot.

The Da Vinci Surgical System is currently the only FDA-approved and commercially available robotic system globally. The assembly of the system includes:

Surgeon Console

Here the surgeon sits and controls the tools and instruments (robotic arm) while viewing the patients’ anatomy in a high definition 3D camera.

Patient Cart

It is positioned alongside the operating table in the surgical room. This cart holds a camera and instruments controlled by the surgeon from the console.

Vision Cart

This cart makes communication between various components and supports the 3D high-definition vision system.

Although each surgery is different, here are the general steps to be followed in a typical Robotic-assisted surgery:

First, the surgeon makes small (one to two centimeter-long) incisions (cuts) in the patient’s body.

Later, a powerful 3d camera is inserted into the body followed by other robotic instruments needed to carry out the surgical procedure. All these are connected to the patient cart ( which we generally refer to as the robot).

The surgeon then sits at the console (a large computer) to perform the procedure. The operating areas appear highly magnified at the console, with high-level resolution.

At the console, the controls are manipulated by the surgeon.

The robotic instruments respond to the movements and translate them into accurate, real-time movements inside the patient’s body.

The robotic devices have more dexterity and a wide range of motion just like a human hand, allowing the surgeon to perform delicate surgeries in hard-to-reach places successfully.

Benefits of robotic surgery

Many surgeons find the robotic arm used in robot-assisted surgery increases the control and precision of their movements during surgery. The robotic system’s 3-D viewer is a high-definition imaging technology that lets surgeons see the surgical site better than any other conventional magnification.

The advantages of robotic surgery over conventional surgery include:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less scarring
  • Reduced blood loss and pain
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Low risk of postoperative infections and other complications
  • Faster recovery and return to normal routine activities
  • Improved quality of life

These benefits are more pronounced with complex, high-risk cancer surgeries.

Cancers treated with robotic surgery

Here are some cancers that can be easily treated with robot-assisted surgery:

  • Colorectal – Robotic surgery is often considered ideal for treating colon and rectal cancer since these conditions require complex surgery.
  • Gynecologic – Several studies have shown the effectiveness of robotic surgery on several gynecological cancers.
  • Head and neck –  With robot-assisted surgery, surgeons can now reach many tumors through the oral cavity, also known as trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS).
  • Pancreatic – Robotic surgery has proven effective for pancreatic, liver, and bile duct cancers.
  • Thoracic (Esophageal and Lung) – A lot of cancers of the thoracic cavity like esophageal cancer, lung cancer, thymus, and other mediastinal (middle chest) tumors can be done with advanced invasive robotic surgery.
  • Thyroid – Robotic surgery used to treat thyroid cancers shows fast healing with no visible scarring.
  • Urologic (Prostate) – Nowadays, robotic surgery is the standardized procedure of urologic surgery specifically for prostate cancer.

Conclusion

Robotic surgery enables a radical operation with high precision in complex areas. This is because of enhanced and 3d vision, fine motion scaling, and a stable platform. This is important in complex cancer surgeries.

For more information on robotic surgery, get in touch with our specialist now!

FAQs Related To Robotic Cancer Surgery

Q 1) - Is robotic surgery a good option for my cancer?
Several factors need to be considered before offering robotic surgery. These include your overall health and fitness , presence of ailments of heart and lungs, prior surgeries, complexity of the surgery, spread of your tumor.

You need to consult an expert robotic surgeon to decide if it is the right option for you.

Q 2) - How long should I stay in the hospital after the robotic surgery?
Your hospital stay depends on the type of robotic surgery performed. Typically, a patient undergoing robotic surgery for endometrial cancer stays 2-3 days in the hospital after surgery.

Patients undergoing robotic surgery for colonic cancer, stomach cancer and rectal cancer need to stay in the hospital for 4 days, 5-6 days and 6-7 days respectively. Your stay also depends on how well you are recovering and if you develop any untoward adverse events.

Q 3) - Are robotic surgeries safe?
Yes, robotic surgery is clinically proven to be safe. During the surgery, the team of surgeons will ensure that the patient is in the right position, the robotic arms are functioning properly, the tumor is operated efficiently, and the patient is safe.

The robotic surgical system itself has numerous inbuilt failsafe mechanisms to prevent unforeseen human errors. Therefore, you need not worry about your safety.

However, if you still have any queries, it is always better to talk them out with your doctor, who will provide the right information to help you make the best decision.

Q 4) - Why have robotic surgery instead of open surgery?
Robotics procedures are minimally invasive surgeries involving smaller incisions than traditional open surgeries, which reduces blood loss and postoperative recovery. As a result, patients typically experience significantly less pain and blood loss than in conventional open incision procedures.

The hospital stay is shorter with robotic surgery when compared to open surgery.
Another distinct advantage of robotic surgery is its 3-d vision.

This helps in performing complex precision surgeries in anatomically tighter areas like the pelvis and thorax where multiple vital structures are present in a small space.

Q 5) - What cancers are currently treated with robotic surgery?
The following cancers can be treated using robotic surgery.

  • Colon and Rectal cancer
  • Endometrial and cervical cancer
  • Esophageal and stomach cancer
  • Early stages of pancreatic cancer
  • Kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer
  • Mediastinal tumors

Doctors also treat some head and neck cancers with Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) which includes:

  • Tongue cancer
  • Tonsil cancer
  • Throat cancer ( pharynx and larynx)

In TORS, cancer is removed directly from the mouth without making incisions.

Thyroid cancers can also be treated using robotic surgery.

Several factors need to be taken into consideration to select a patient for robotic surgery. Some of them are – patient’s overall health, extent of tumor spread, costs and insurance cover.

In general, patients suffering from significant heart and lung problems are not good candidates for robotic surgery. Tumors that show significant spread are also not suitable for robotic surgery.

You need to consult an expert robotic surgeon to decide if your cancer is suitable for robotic surgery.

Q 6) - Who is a candidate for Robotic Surgery?
While opting for robotic surgery, doctors consider several factors such as your health condition, cancer stage, surgical history, and planned procedure. Not every patient is the right candidate for a robotic or another minimally invasive surgical procedure.

The oncological surgeons work closely with patients while discussing options and helping them decide on the best treatments.

Some contraindications for robotic surgery are

  1. Significant lung or heart ailments
  2. Prior abdominal/ thoracic surgeries
  3. Tumors that have spread to multiple organs

Do You Have Any Query?

    Google Reviews

    This is what our patients have to say about us.

    Deepak Panchal

    He’s a very good doctor. And has experience in cancer surgery. I’ve consulted him and he’s done a colon cancer surgery – laparoscopic right colon removal. Would highly recommend Dr Praveen Kammar for surgeries.

    Sudhir Nair

    “I think Dr. Praveen Kammar is one of the best cancer specialists. He comes across as a dedicated professional and an even better human being. Thanks to him that I successfully underwent surgery for mouth cancer. May his tribe increase.”

    Why Dr. Praveen Kammar

    A Surgical Oncologist Practicing In The City Of Mumbai

    • Experience of a decade in treating cancer
    • Expertise in Laparoscopic cancer surgery, Robotic cancer surgery
    • Expertise in Digestive System Cancers, Colorectal cancers , Peritoneal cancers, advanced abdominal cancers
    • Expertise in Cytoreductive Surgery, HIPEC, PIPAC
    • Affiliated to all major hospitals in Mumbai
    • Consultations at a center near you
    • Excellent support staff to help you during treatment
    • Home care services
    • 360 degree care

    Happy Patients

    Years Of Experience

    Critical Surgeries

    Informative Blogs

    Informative medical blogs on cancer and all things related.