As technology improves, so do the capabilities of modern medicine. Technological advances allow professionals across the field to utilize new additions to help treat patients with the most adequate care. And recently, the world of surgery has seen significant modification with the usage of robotic surgery, as well as other modern innovations. Here are some of the newest advances in the surgical field and how they take us one step further to saving more and more lives (and to doing so more efficiently!).
Robots in Surgery
While the most highly trained and skilled surgeons have steady hands able to perform near-miracles, even they make mistakes that can yield devastating results for the patients under the knife.
With robotic equipment, however, this margin for error decreases almost to nothing. Robots, controlled by these same highly skilled surgeons, can enter any location in the human body, performing the most miniscule tasks that human hands find difficult. There is no risk for twitching or shaking, and robots never tire during a procedure. This is significant, since certain complicated surgeries can surpass the 12-hour mark. Robots have aided in the survival rate, as well as efficacy rate, of surgeries of all types.
Rooms of the Future
With robots in surgery has come another new innovation in operating rooms. Hybrid operating rooms (ORs) are the newest trend. These futuristic rooms contain a plethora of medical and surgical equipment that allows for patients to be fully examined and treated by a team of professionals. And many hybrid ORs are equipped with surgical robots: the surgeon is able to utilize this skilled team, as well as the arsenal of robotic equipment, to make a comprehensive examination of the patient, before deciding on the best method for operation.
Pros and Cons of Robotic Surgery
Like any new innovation, reviews have been mixed. Robotic surgery has already helped surgeons across the world in operations, allowing them to make smaller movements in remote locations that are ultimately to the benefit of the patients. And robotic surgery contributes to ease of access in difficult operations: surgeons no longer need to make large incisions in open areas to reach the area of operation.
But, like any innovative medical device, the robots are extremely expensive, and few operating rooms retain them due to the high cost. Many individuals are also fearful of being operated on by a robot, believing that difficult medical procedures, such as surgery, should only be performed by human beings capable of rational thought and decision making.
Also, for those willing to undergo an operation performed by a robot, it likely will take longer than traditional surgery: the robot needs to be prepared to become fully functional before any operation takes place.
Looking to the Future
Ultimately, robotic surgery has made a great impact on the world of medicine and surgery. Like any technology, however, it isn’t without drawbacks. While it presents certain fears and disadvantages, the advantages of this recent innovation help shed a bright light on the future of health.
