What Kind of Surgeries Can Be Performed by Robots

Ever since the first robotic surgical system was approved in 2000 by the FDA, robotic surgery has seen a rapid adoption rate in hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout the country. Robotic surgical systems are typically designed as an assistive “arm” and used as a tool by an already trained surgeon. In the past two decades, robotic surgery technology has advanced greatly and patients have experienced higher rates of positive outcomes as a result. With the ever-growing popularity and trust placed in these robots, it should come as no surprise to learn that surgical robot arms have been designed to assist in a wide range of general and specialized surgical procedures. Here’s a few examples of how robots are used in major surgeries.

Robotic spine surgery

Robotic spine surgery represents one of the latest innovations in this field. With robotic systems like the Excelsius GPSTM surgical arm, spinal surgeons can perform spinal fusions with outstanding precision, which results in speedy recovery times and excellent overall patient outcomes.

Robotic gynecologic surgery

Gynecologic surgical procedures that can be performed by robots include the removal of the uterus, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts; treatment of urinary incontinence, menorrhagia, or female pelvic organ prolapse; and resections to treat endometriosis

Robotic urologic surgery

Urologic surgical procedures that can be performed by robots include removal of prostate, lymph nodes, or bladder to treat cancer; extraction of kidney tumor and bladder stones; repair or reconstruction of bladder or kidneys; and ureter implantations.

Robotic thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgical procedures that can be performed by robots include surgery on the lungs to treat cancer, and surgery to remove tumors on the thymus.

Other robotic surgeries

While surgery addressing spinal, gynecologic, urologic, and thoracic conditions are some of the most common uses of robotic surgery, this technology is also used in many other medical disciplines. Robotic surgery is often used to aid in the full or partial surgical removal of organs as part of a cancer treatment plan, including gastrectomies (stomach), esophagectomies (esophagus), hepatectomies (liver), lobectomies (lungs), splenectomies (spleen), colectomies (large intestine), and cholecystectomies (gallbladder).

The surgeons at Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center use the latest surgical technology — including the Excelsius GPSTM robotic surgery system — to ensure our patients receive the highest possible quality of care. To learn more about robotic spine surgery, call Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center at 404-256-2633.