Is a robot operation just as effective as a traditional operation?
Robot operations are developing rapidly. In April of this year, the Eindhoven University of Technology was still using a robot that can assist with a surgery of the skull base. A robot can work accurately and quickly and assist surgeons with detailed operations.
According to a new study, published in the journal ‘Lancet’, surgery for bladder cancer by robots is just as effective as a traditional open operation. In the study, 350 patients received surgery with a robot or an open operation. After two years there was no difference in survival without progression. There was less blood loss during the robotic operation and hospital admissions were shorter. The operations took a bit longer. There were no differences in the degree of complications or in the quality of life of the patient.
Robot operation
In a robotic operation, surgeons can control a robot arm. In some operations, narrow robotic arms can help the surgeon to make smaller incisions. Every movement of the surgeon’s hand or wrist results in precise movements of the surgical instruments. The maneuvers can be followed on a 3D image of the wound. The robots are particularly popular for gynecological and urological operations.
According to the researchers, it is important to perform tests before new technologies quickly mix in the operating rooms. One of the researchers indicates that in times of increasing healthcare costs it is important to consider which technology is or is not worth using. A robot system is expensive, very expensive. Scientific research is useful to determine whether a specific technology is worth the cost or not. Robot operations are also used in other forms of cancer and it is therefore important that studies are done on this. A robot system is very expensive.