Robotics in surgery: Current trends

Abstract

Dear Editor, When a procedure is called “robotic,” it does not indicate that a robot is really doing the work. Instead, it refers to surgical procedures in which doctors use robots to guide their actions. One or more robotic arms may be used in robotic surgical systems, which doctors can operate remotely and accurately from a console nearby. A laparoscope is attached to one of the robot arms. Small surgical tools may be carried in the other arms by the surgeons. The surgeon is able to see the tumor in three dimensions thanks to a computer screen. Each robotic arm is controlled by a joystick similar to that used in video games, which replicates the movements of the wrist and hand and provides dexterity. In comparison to conventional laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery, robotic devices are believed to have superior dexterity and range of motion. Surgeons may now operate on sections of the body that were previously inaccessible and get a better look at otherwise difficult-to-see areas. Minimally invasive operations often involve robots. Small incisions are used in these procedures, as the name suggests. Less discomfort, less bleeding, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery periods are all common benefits of this approach. The robotic helper was created to improve on already excellent minimally invasive surgery. In July 2000, the FDA approved the da Vinci Surgical System, the first surgical robot, for general minimally invasive surgery [1]. Robotic prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) was approved by the FDA in the following year. Cancer procedures including gynecological cancers were approved by the FDA in 2005. The Senhance System, a comparable robot, was approved by the FDA in 2017. Surgeons started employing robots for a broader variety of cancer operations as more hospitals purchased this $ 2 million equipment. Robotic assistants have been advertised as “where Star Trek meets Dr. Oz,” and many patients have sought them out as a result of seeing them in ads. Patients’ desire for robotic procedures has fueled their wider acceptance, according to research. It's not certain whether utilizing a robot for cancer treatment is better than conventional methods, as the FDA cautioned in 2019. Preoperative planning, surgical navigation, and surgical assistance may all be supported by a variety of computer-assisted surgical systems. An RAS device is a form of computer-aided surgical system that uses robots [2]. A range of surgical procedures may be performed with RAS devices, which let the surgeon to employ computer and software technology to control and move surgical tools via one or more small incisions in the patient's body (minimally invasive). Some of the advantages of a RAS device may include its capacity to aid minimally invasive surgery and help with complicated tasks in restricted regions. In reality, the machine is not a robot since it cannot carry out surgery without direct human intervention. In the right hands and with the right training, robotic surgery may be a safe and effective tool for completing specific surgeries. It is the goal of the FDA to ensure that devices are safe and effective for their intended use [3]. Ensure manufacturers provide proper training for both new and seasoned users of RAS devices. Medical device training and education are not regulated or accredited by the FDA since they are not part of the agency's purview. It is up to companies like pharmaceutical companies, doctors’ offices, and health care institutions to come up with and execute effective training programs. Specialty certification organizations and professional societies may also help to establish and fund training programs for its members’ doctors of certain specialties. The certification status of their specialist doctors is likewise maintained by the specialty boards. The Hominis Surgical System, a revolutionary robotically-assisted surgical device (RASD), has been given the green light by the US Food and Drug Administrati