|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

The History of Computers in Surgery

The history of the computer’s relation to surgery is relatively new considering the overall age of the field of medicine and health. Computers have helped increase the accuracy of surgery and aided in speed increases and a greater level of performance. Computers have helped increase the types of surgeries that are possible and increased the level of safety of many procedures.

  1. History

    • Computers first appeared on the scene of surgery assistance in 1985 by the Puma 560. The Puma was a computer driven robot that aided surgeons in neurosurgical biopsies and increased the level of precision the surgeon had during the procedure. During the 1990s, computers gradually made their way into the surgical scene with the introduction of the PROBOT and ROBODOC. Both computerized robotic systems gave surgeons an increased level of dexterity and an extra set of steady hands. The PROBOT helped with transurethral resection of the prostate and the ROBODOC increased the accuracy of hip replacement surgeries.

    Significance

    • Robots play an extremely significant role in surgery and continually expand the horizon of possible benefits in the medicinal field. Since their introduction to the field, robots have continually brought significant benefits to the operating room. Orthopedics use computers to perform detailed surgical tasks with the use of computers such as the Orthodoc computerized robotic system.

    Effects

    • The effects of computers in the operating room continue to increase with technological advances and increase the possibilities both in the operating room and outside. Increased preparation from three-dimensional mapping helps prepare the surgeon for operation and increases accuracy of operation and decreases the amount of time a patient must remain on the table. This decrease in operation time helps eliminate other complications that arise from long operating times.

    Types

    • Computers operate an entire host of robotic equipment and make it possible for doctors to use them as preprogrammed tools and even steadier extensions of themselves. Computers help monitor vital signs and digitize images in three-dimensional views to better aid the surgeon. Other types of computers operate via voice commands and probe endoscopic cameras to assist surgeons during the surgery.

    Potential

    • Computers have helped researchers make large advances with telepresence surgery. Telepresence surgery allows surgeons to perform operations from a remote location with a computerized robotic system. These systems will be helpful in combat situations and might help reduce casualties on the battlefield. By increasing the influence range of surgeons, these systems may help decrease wait times and increase the effectiveness of hospital systems.

Surgeries - Related Articles