TYPES OF OPERATIONS ROBOTIC SURGERY MAY BE USED IN
Robots were initially used in gallbladder removal surgeries. Since then, robots have also been used in other surgical operations. These include:
(Northwest Community Healthcare, 2012)
- heart bypass surgery - blood is rerouted around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
- mitral valve repair - either repair or replace the mitral valve (ie valve which makes sure that the blood in your heart moves forward) in your heart.
- hysterectomy - removal of the uterus
- gastric bypass surgery - Surgery basically works by reducing the amount of food absorbed during the digestive process. Part of your stomach is stitched up such that it becomes smaller.
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (aka acid reflux) - the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce acid reflux. The da Vinci system is able to make very precise stitches when doing this.
- uterine fibroid removal
- uterine and vaginal vault prolapse
- removal of the thymus gland
- gastronintestinal surgery
- orthopedic surgery on the musculoskeletal system
- paediatrics - surgery on children ranging from foetuses to young adults
- radiosurgery (to treat tumours)
- urology (to remove cancerous prostate glands, repair obstructed kidneys, repair bladder abnormalities and remove diseased kidneys)
(Northwest Community Healthcare, 2012)