Robotic surgery has existed for the last few decades. The first surgical robot, PUMA 560, was used for an adult brain biopsy surgery in 1985, but a few decades later, Pediatric Robotics became more common. Surgeons had to learn to be comfortable and efficient in adult robotic surgeries before attempting to operate on children due to the learning curve robotically. Once the barrier of the learning curve was broken through by understanding the same surgical techniques and instruments used by adult patients also used for pediatric patients, just performed in a smaller area, many children received the benefits of undergoing robotic surgery.
Why Robotic vs Laparoscopic
Robotic surgeries have proven that patients have faster recovery with shorter hospital stays and less post-operative pain than laparoscopic surgeries. Robotic and laparoscopic surgeries use a camera and similar surgical instruments to operate. The difference is that the robot allows the surgeon to perform precise and controlled movements with articulating instruments and 3D visualization. The surgeon does this by visualizing and operating through a counsel on the side of the operating room with the assistance of surgical staff at the patient's bedside, placing appropriate instruments through ports placed laparoscopically before docking (using) the robot to the patient. In laparoscopic, the surgeon holds the instruments by hand, limiting movements, and the camera is not as efficient to visualize the operating area.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
As stated above, robotic surgeries have resulted in faster recovery with shorter hospital stays and less post-operative pain. This is because robotic surgeries only require small incisions for the surgeon to operate, leading to lower blood loss and the risk of infections. In contrast, open surgeries requiring an extensive incision increase hospital stays, post-operative pain, blood loss, and infections. Robotic surgeries are also getting so advanced that, in time, most surgical procedures will be outpatient, and patients can go home the same day of the surgery.
Types of Robotic Surgery
More surgical procedures will be available for pediatric patients as more pediatric surgeons are trained in robotics. Surgical procedures such as:
Cardiac surgery (mitral valve repair, thymectomy)
Gynecological (myomectomy, ovarian cyst removal)
General (cholecystectomy, splenectomy)
Urology (bladder cuff excision, nephrectomy)
The Future of Robotics
As technology advances, the limitations on robotic surgeries for pediatrics will become less over time—technology such as appropriate instruments and higher internet speeds. Appropriate instrument sizes for pediatric patients in small-scaled surgical procedures will allow surgeons to perform better during robotic surgery. Higher internet speeds will allow surgeons to operate remotely in rural areas or even across the country when the surgeon or the patient cannot travel due to conflicts or the patient's health stability.
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