Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery uses advanced technology for minimally invasive operations. Acibadem is equipped with the latest system for robot-assisted surgery, the da Vinci Xi.

What is robotic surgery?

In recent years, robot-assisted techniques have brought minimally invasive surgery to the next level. ‘Minimally invasive’ means smaller cuts when compared with traditional open surgery. It is usually associated with laparoscopic operations in which surgeons use tiny instruments and a miniature camera inserted into the body through minor incisions. Robotic surgery goes even further: in this case, the small tools are attached to robotic arms. This allows a broader range of movement and higher precision compared to a human hand. Unlike common belief, robotic surgery is not performed by an autonomous robot. All movements are controlled by a surgeon who sits at a console and monitors the progress on a high-definition monitor. Therefore, the surgeon’s skills and expertise are crucial for ensuring a positive outcome.

Robotic surgery advantages

Surgery assisted by a robot brings significant benefits to both the surgeon and the patient:

• Robotic precision eliminates natural tremors of the human hand
• Superior visualization of the surgical spot is possible through highly magnified three-dimensional images
• It provides the ability to operate on hard-to-reach, small, and narrow areas
• Smaller incisions result in less pain and decreased blood loss, leading to faster recovery

However, this type of operation is not the best choice for every patient. Talk with your doctor to determine if robotic surgery is the right option for you.

Types of robotic surgery

Advanced robotic systems allow specially trained surgeons to perform various minimally invasive procedures throughout the body. Subtypes of robotic surgery include:

• Heart surgery
• Gynecological surgery
• Kidney surgery
• Colon surgery
• Obesity surgery
• Prostate surgery
• Head and neck surgery

There are various types of technologies for robotic surgery. At present, the da Vinci Surgical System is the most commonly used technology across the globe. At Acibadem, we employ the da Vinci Xi — the latest and most capable robotic system available today.

Robotic surgery for cardiovascular diseases

Robotic heart surgery eliminates the need for an open operation. Instead of opening the rib cage, the surgeon gains access through tiny incisions. The method is more comfortable for the patient and reduces their recovery time. Nearly all procedures in cardiovascular surgery can be performed via minimally invasive robotic surgery, including valve repair and replacement (e.g., transcatheter aortic valve implantation), robotic bypass surgery, surgery to correct rhythm disorders, orifice repair, and surgery to correct problems in the right or left atria.

Robot-assisted surgery provides a solution for patients who have undergone multiple heart surgeries. Performing open surgery on such patients in the presence of a cardiac valve problem is very risky, since opening the breastbone can damage the heart. At Acibadem, such patients can still be operated on using the da Vinci robotic system. The previous surgical site is left untouched, and access to the area is achieved through a small incision of three to four centimeters in the armpit. Furthermore, robotic heart surgery can be performed on a beating heart. This means that it is not necessary to stop the heart, and there is no disruption to cardiac functioning. This surgery takes less time than conventional surgery and minimizes the risk of infection, bleeding, and the need for a blood transfusion.

Robotic surgery in general surgery

General surgery involves conditions of the abdomen and digestive tract, including the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. Most of these conditions can be treated with minimally invasive techniques. The da Vinci robot can be used for a range of diseases, such as hernias, obesity, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory intestinal diseases.

• Robotic colorectal surgery. Da Vinci robotic surgery is used in the surgical treatment of many colorectal diseases, including colorectal cancer (cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum), diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. For rectal surgery, in particular, robotic surgery ensures that the nerves adjacent to the surgical area are protected.
• Robotic bariatric surgery. Robot-assisted surgery facilitates surgery in patients with obesity and shortens the recovery time. Among surgeries for obesity performed using the da Vinci robot, gastric bypass is the most common. This method is also considered the gold standard in other surgeries to help with obesity. It not only enables the reduction of the stomach but also deactivates a certain part of the intestines, reducing the absorption of food.

Robotic surgery in gynecology

For some women, robot-assisted procedures can be an effective alternative to open gynecological surgery. Various conditions affecting the reproductive system might require surgery, such as endometriosis, abdominal and pelvic pain, uterine fibroids, abnormal bleeding, pelvic organ prolapse, or gynecological cancer. Robotic surgery is commonly used for the treatment of endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancer; robotic hysterectomy (removal of the uterus); myomectomy (removal of myomas); and fallopian tube surgery. Advanced procedures, such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery, performed by our experienced surgical teams can preserve the nerves in the genital area, protecting the patient’s sexual and urinary function.

Robotic surgery in urology

Urology is the field in which robotic surgery systems are most commonly used. This medical specialty treats conditions of the urinary tract and reproductive system in men. Surgeons prefer to use the da Vinci robot to relieve kidney blockage with pyeloplasty, treat kidney cancer with robotic partial nephrectomy (removal of part of the kidney), or eliminate prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland). While conventional prostate surgery involves a long abdominal incision from the belly button to the pubic bone, robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive procedure conducted through tiny incisions. It allows the surgeon to preserve delicate structures around the prostate gland. In addition to a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery, da Vinci robotic surgery delivers better results in terms of urinary control and erectile function compared to traditional operations.

Robotic surgery at Acibadem

At Acibadem, we employ some of the leading specialists in robotic surgery in Turkey. We can offer:

• The latest robotic surgery system, the da Vinci Xi
• Highly trained and experienced physicians
• A wide range of applications of robotic procedures
• A multidisciplinary approach for excellent results
• A-class service for international patients by a world-renowned healthcare brand