|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Robotic Surgery Advantages & Disadvantages

Robotic surgery refers to the use of robots in surgery. This innovative technology is seen as a new paradigm that could potentially alter the dynamics of surgery. As of 2010, the field of robotic surgery has not been fully explored, and there are many new developments still underway. In addition, there are some advantages and detriments to robotic surgery.

  1. Advantage: Reducing Pain

    • Robotic surgery can be very successful at reducing pain and discomfort associated with surgical procedures. Because surgery is performed using tiny instruments with robotic surgery, the incision in a standard robotic surgery is incredibly small. Even the most dexterous surgeon would be unable to operate through such a small incision.

    Disadvantage: Cost

    • The technology associated with robotic surgery is complex, new and relatively expensive. The cost of the first ever robotic surgery was around $1 million dollars. While innovations in technology have drastically reduced costs and should continue to do so, robotic surgery still tends to be more expensive than related procedures performed manually.

    Advantage: Greater Access

    • Because robotic tools can be very small, they can reach parts of the body that traditional surgery may be unable to access. The tiny incision and very small tools that are characteristic of robotic surgery can move through the body with ease, accessing parts of the body that it woudl be impossible to perform surgery on due to organs or other vital parts in the way of necessary incisions that would be required if a doctor were to do surgery without robotic assistance.

    Disadvantage: Precision

    • A robot which can perform surgeries with pinpoint precision is, after all a machine. The slightest miscalculation on the part of the surgeon’s handling of the controls can cause healthy tissues to be destroyed. Since robotic surgery is still developing technology in 2010, there may be few surgeons with the skill or experience to control the robot with the required precision.

Surgeries - Related Articles