Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery using the da Vinci System
What is the da Vinci™ System?
Da Vinci™ is a computer-assisted robotic system that expands a surgeon's capability to operate within the abdomen in a less invasive way during laparoscopic surgery. Da Vinci™ system allows greater precision and better visualization compared to standard laparoscopic surgery.
The USC University Hospital is the first hospital in Southern California to perform robotically-assisted surgery using the da Vinci™ Surgical System.
The operations with the Da Vinci System are performed with no direct mechanical connection between the surgeon and the patient. The surgeon is remote from the patient, working a few feet from the operating table while seated at a computer console with a three-dimensional view of the operating field.
The physician operates two masters (similar to joysticks) that control the two mechanical arms on the robot. The mechanical arms are armed with specialized instruments with hand-like movements which carry out the surgery through tiny holes in the patient’s abdomen.
Three small incisions (approximately one half inch) are made in the abdomen, through which a video camera and the robotic arms with the highly-specialized instruments are introduced. The video camera provides high resolution, high magnification and depth perception. The arms eliminate any hand tremor by the surgeon and offer motion scaling – allowing extremely precise movements within the patient
How does the surgeon actually perform the operation?
Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a computer console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the masters on the computer console and while viewing the surgical field through the da Vinci™ Systems high-resolution, three-dimensional image display, the surgeon manipulates and guides da Vinci's computer- assisted robotic arms and instruments.
The technology seamlessly translates the surgeon's movements at the computer console into precise, real-time movements of the surgical instruments inside the patient. While the surgeon's hands and fingers direct the surgery, the movements are translated by the computer to precise movement of the microsurgical instruments on the robotic arms inside the patient's body.
The benefits of the da Vinci System
Standard laparoscopic surgery has significant limitations for performing complex surgical procedures. These limitations are due to poor depth perception and limited rotational movement with the long straight instrument. The da Vinci system has three dimensional view of the operative field with excellent depth perception and specialized robotic instruments that allow rotational movement.
The da Vinci™ System allows minimally-invasive surgery to be performed with greater precision and improved functional and cosmetic results. It is expected to reduce length of stay in the hospital, complications and postoperative pain.
The da Vinci system for pancreas, bile duct and liver surgery
The world experience on the use of the Da Vinci Robotic System for surgery on the pancreas, bowel duct, and liver is limited. We have developed experience with this robotic system for the following surgical procedures:
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