What is Robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is a newer modality of minimally invasive surgery. The advent and initial utilization of robotic surgery happened in the USA about 20 years back. Slowly, its techniques and utilization spread to other parts of the world and it showed its presence in major metro cities of India in the last decade. Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore were initial centres providing this facility. However, with the passage of time this technology spread its wings in other parts of the country. Robotic surgery is available in tricity in Fortis hospital, Mohali since 2017 which became the first private hospital to provide this facility to the people of tricity. 

Robotic Surgery Specialties

Robotic surgery can be utilised for different procedures and by different specialities. Gynaecology and Urology are the foremost surgical specialties which use this technique for various kinds of surgeries. However, it is also used in general surgery, colorectal surgery, onco-surgery, ENT or head and neck surgery. 

Advantages of robotic surgery

The Advantages of robotic surgery are multiple when compared to open surgery. It allows better visualization, lesser scar, less blood loss, less post-operative pain and faster recovery. It also allows early discharge from hospital and early return to work or routine activities. Robotic surgery has the advantage over laparoscopic surgery as it allows better control of surgical instruments, better freedom of movement, good magnification and more ergonomic usage of instruments. 

Components of Robotic Surgical System

It uses the concept of master-slave technology. Robotic machine has 3 different parts known as vision cart which holds screen and diathermy, patient cart which attaches to patient and moves instruments inside patient’s body and console system where surgeon sits and controls robotic instruments. This whole robotic surgical system is under primary control of the surgeon who is performing surgery and it does not act on its own. 

Perceptions and Safety Concerns

When robotic surgery in India was first realized, it created multiple doubts in minds of patients and even the medical fraternity that it might not be a safe surgery. However, with time robotic surgery has been proven not only completely safe but also very superior in outcomes compared to other traditional surgical ways. Robotic surgery systems have become an important tool in the hands of an urologist or an uro-oncologist who aims to perform complex urological cancer surgeries in a narrow pelvic area. 

Role of Robotic Surgery in Urology

Urology is one of the primary surgical specialties which has benefitted from these advancements. Complex urological surgeries and urological cancer surgeries or kidney surgeries have now become a routine to be performed by robotic systems. Most urological cancer surgeries are performed in deep pelvis areas which have very limited access by open or laparoscopic technique. Different urological robotic surgeries include following:

1. Robotic radical prostatectomy surgery for prostate cancer, 
2. Robotic radical cystectomy surgery with urinary diversion or ileal conduit for urinary bladder cancers, 
3. Robotic radical nephrectomy or Robotic partial nephrectomy for kidney cancers,
4. Robotic Pyeloplasty for PUJ- Obstruction,
5. Robotic ureteric Re-implant for ureteric stricture.

Rising Demand for Robotic Surgery in Mohali

Fortis hospital in Mohali, the best hospital in India has achieved major milestones for performing these complex and major surgeries with robotic systems in a safe way. The demand of robotic surgery in Mohali has increased significantly due to persistent good results and outstanding outcomes for patients who have to undergo these surgeries. All of these surgeries have become a routine activity at fortis hospital in Mohali. 

The hospital aims to provide good results and good outcomes by means of a dedicated robotic surgery operation theatre, dedicated nursing staff and assistant staff to work with this machine and dedicated doctors or surgeons who specialize in urological cancers and robotic surgery. Not only this, Fortis hospital in Mohali has often become the centre with maximum number of robotic surgeries being done at a single system in the whole of India in a month or in a quarter. 

Mohali has now become frontrunner in providing quality medical care and most advanced surgical options in the ambit of safe robotic surgery in the country. There is very little doubt about the competence and excellence of robotic surgery programme at fortis hospital Mohali as a whole and urological cancers and uro-oncology programme at its heart.  

With the continued focus on development, it is not an understatement that patients who were initially forced to undergo these major surgeries at Delhi or other major cities are now flocking to the tri-city for their complex surgeries and robotic surgeries. Most of the people have now experienced above par treatment even when compared to national or international standards. Without any iota of doubt, it can be said that Robotic surgery or complex cancer surgery are completely safe in Mohali.