ROBOTIC SURGERY IN UROLOGY
Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs.
The organs under the domain of urology include the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs. The Urinary and reproductive systems are, like all of your other systems, indispensable, fragile in performance, vulnerable to all kinds of conditions and diseases, and seriously debilitating when something goes wrong.
According to Senior Consultant Urologist, Lap and Robotic Surgeon Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals he explained that robotic surgery is the latest cutting-edge technological advancement in the surgeon’s armamentarium. Almost like science fiction to the uninitiated, the surgeon sitting at a console controlling a robotic arms assembly has revolutionized the surgical approach to many procedures, which were hitherto either very complicated or fraught with prohibitive complications.
In its present configuration, Da Vinci Surgical System can be used in most contemporary operating suites. It has three major components, which are robotic tower, assembly where instruments are attached and mechanically manipulated within the patient, Surgeon’s console, Workstation where the surgeon sits and manipulates the instruments and Ancillary Vision Cart, Supports a flat screen monitor.
Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman explained that there are some technical advancement as a tool for execution of the basic technique of surgery and hence must be examined with the question. Does this further aid, simplify or facilitate our adherence to our time honoured basic surgical steps and their outcomes.
In Tanzania, the growth for using the Robotics technology is still not satisfying as the running cost together with expertise set up as a big challenge. Most patients who require that medical attention are sent to Apollo hospital due to affordability and provision of genuine medical treatment. kDr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman state that “it is not unreasonable to anticipate the development of an indigenous robotic surgical system in the future. Needless to say, such a system will go a long way in making this technology come within reach of a majority of our population”
The answer for the robot is probably a resounding “Yes” from Apollo hospitals. It unquestionably offers some distinct advantages like 3D vision and depth perception: One of the biggest hindrances of Laparoscopic surgery has been a 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional operating field. The incorporation of binocular optics in the operating console offers the operating surgeon a 3 dimensional simulation and thereby improves depth perception which is invaluable when operating in the limited confines of areas like the pelvis.
Elimination of hand tremors and field magnification, robotic arms eliminate tremors and help in movement scaling. This increases the precision of the surgical steps and helps define difficult anatomical landmarks. Ergonomically superior and cause less fatigue to the surgeon: Better operating posture and surgeon’s comfort translates into better surgical outcomes. Reduces the learning curve of Laparoscopic surgery: The exposure to robotic surgery offers a chance for surgeons who are not laparoscopically trained to offer a minimally invasive surgery option.
Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals mentioned some additional advantages of minimally invasive surgery like lesser post-operative pain, shorter convalescence period, lesser bleeding and more cosmetic incisions unarguably further the case of robotic assisted surgery.
The biggest and possibly the only uncontested disadvantage of the Robotic Surgery is the incurred cost. The Da Vinci Surgical systems robot costs a considerable $ 2 million with a further $ 100,000 required for annual maintenance. Undoubtedly the higher costs involved translate into higher cost of Surgery that is principally borne by the patient.
The advantages have also been extended to procedures requiring precision and accuracy like partial nephrectomy which has enabled efficient nephron sparing surgery with resultant renal function preservation. Robotic assisted adrenalectomy, pyeloplasty, radical nephrectomy and donor nephrectomy are being performed with increased frequency as the Surgeon is getting more and more acclimatized to the Robot. A further testament to the proficiency of the Indian surgeon with the robot is the increasing number of Robotic Renal Transplant surgeries being performed successfully at some centres.
“While work is an important part of life, one cannot compromise where health is concerned. Getting yourself tested and treated from the best of the doctors for all your kidney and urological health issues is not only a wise choice but also a vital one in order to ensure healthy living” concluded Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals.
About Apollo Hospitals
It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Now, as Asia largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 8,488 beds across 51 Hospitals, 1,586 Pharmacies, 92 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 100 Telemedicine units across 10 countries. Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy, 15 colleges of Nursing and Hospital Management and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research and the first Proton Therapy Center across Asia, Africa and Australia.
In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 28 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.
Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs.
The organs under the domain of urology include the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs. The Urinary and reproductive systems are, like all of your other systems, indispensable, fragile in performance, vulnerable to all kinds of conditions and diseases, and seriously debilitating when something goes wrong.
According to Senior Consultant Urologist, Lap and Robotic Surgeon Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals he explained that robotic surgery is the latest cutting-edge technological advancement in the surgeon’s armamentarium. Almost like science fiction to the uninitiated, the surgeon sitting at a console controlling a robotic arms assembly has revolutionized the surgical approach to many procedures, which were hitherto either very complicated or fraught with prohibitive complications.
In its present configuration, Da Vinci Surgical System can be used in most contemporary operating suites. It has three major components, which are robotic tower, assembly where instruments are attached and mechanically manipulated within the patient, Surgeon’s console, Workstation where the surgeon sits and manipulates the instruments and Ancillary Vision Cart, Supports a flat screen monitor.
Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman explained that there are some technical advancement as a tool for execution of the basic technique of surgery and hence must be examined with the question. Does this further aid, simplify or facilitate our adherence to our time honoured basic surgical steps and their outcomes.
In Tanzania, the growth for using the Robotics technology is still not satisfying as the running cost together with expertise set up as a big challenge. Most patients who require that medical attention are sent to Apollo hospital due to affordability and provision of genuine medical treatment. kDr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman state that “it is not unreasonable to anticipate the development of an indigenous robotic surgical system in the future. Needless to say, such a system will go a long way in making this technology come within reach of a majority of our population”
The answer for the robot is probably a resounding “Yes” from Apollo hospitals. It unquestionably offers some distinct advantages like 3D vision and depth perception: One of the biggest hindrances of Laparoscopic surgery has been a 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional operating field. The incorporation of binocular optics in the operating console offers the operating surgeon a 3 dimensional simulation and thereby improves depth perception which is invaluable when operating in the limited confines of areas like the pelvis.
Elimination of hand tremors and field magnification, robotic arms eliminate tremors and help in movement scaling. This increases the precision of the surgical steps and helps define difficult anatomical landmarks. Ergonomically superior and cause less fatigue to the surgeon: Better operating posture and surgeon’s comfort translates into better surgical outcomes. Reduces the learning curve of Laparoscopic surgery: The exposure to robotic surgery offers a chance for surgeons who are not laparoscopically trained to offer a minimally invasive surgery option.
Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals mentioned some additional advantages of minimally invasive surgery like lesser post-operative pain, shorter convalescence period, lesser bleeding and more cosmetic incisions unarguably further the case of robotic assisted surgery.
The biggest and possibly the only uncontested disadvantage of the Robotic Surgery is the incurred cost. The Da Vinci Surgical systems robot costs a considerable $ 2 million with a further $ 100,000 required for annual maintenance. Undoubtedly the higher costs involved translate into higher cost of Surgery that is principally borne by the patient.
The advantages have also been extended to procedures requiring precision and accuracy like partial nephrectomy which has enabled efficient nephron sparing surgery with resultant renal function preservation. Robotic assisted adrenalectomy, pyeloplasty, radical nephrectomy and donor nephrectomy are being performed with increased frequency as the Surgeon is getting more and more acclimatized to the Robot. A further testament to the proficiency of the Indian surgeon with the robot is the increasing number of Robotic Renal Transplant surgeries being performed successfully at some centres.
“While work is an important part of life, one cannot compromise where health is concerned. Getting yourself tested and treated from the best of the doctors for all your kidney and urological health issues is not only a wise choice but also a vital one in order to ensure healthy living” concluded Dr. Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman from Apollo hospitals.
About Apollo Hospitals
It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Now, as Asia largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 8,488 beds across 51 Hospitals, 1,586 Pharmacies, 92 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 100 Telemedicine units across 10 countries. Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy, 15 colleges of Nursing and Hospital Management and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research and the first Proton Therapy Center across Asia, Africa and Australia.
In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 28 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.
