With the modern world advancing in multiple fields of healthcare, one prominent feature that we see is shifts in the way surgery is now taking place. With implementations of robotic-assisted surgery, or a robotic device working under the guidance of a surgeon, concerns have been rising about whether or not this is the right direction we lean towards. While some view it as a leap into the future and its intricate techniques, others see it as a degree of malpractice, or the improper treatment of patients. With all that being said, let's dig into what the benefits and concerns many people have surrounding this topic.
Advantages
Primarily, assistance with robots in the surgical department offers many benefits that usually are unheard of. The main question people have is, how accurate is it? Is it truly safe? Well, the studies done by the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, clearly inform us that "Two-dimensional imaging is replaced with three-dimensional technique in the da Vinci robot with increased perception and magnification. Moreover, tremor and motion scaling which complicate the operation are not seen in the robotic surgery." This allows us to see the benefits that robotic surgeries will have; it allows surgeons to get a better sense of feeling as the moves of the robot are more accurate and intricate, creating fewer flaws and mistakes.
Additionally, robotic-assisted surgery has proven to be versatile and works in multiple different departments of surgery; whether it's in the fields of neurology, cardiology, or even gynecology, robotic surgery has applications in each field and proved efficient. The small, detailed movements of the robot allow surgeons to more accurately and precisely perform moves that are critical to the patient's health. For example, in neurosurgery, the brain is one the most sensitive organs in the brain, and therefore needs immense care and technique; The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery and Medical Tests has figured out that "A high level of accuracy is required when operating on the brain to avoid damage to the sensitive brain tissue. Biopsies and minor interventions are best assisted by a robotic device." While we see mass amounts of advantages, what certain drawbacks does robotic-assisted surgery produce?
Drawbacks
When we look at the main disadvantages robotic surgery has, the main concern is the cost. With a whopping one-million dollar purchase fee and consistent hundreds of thousands of dollars for maintenance. That being said, is it worth it to invest in such tech? Well, let's answer that by looking more at what weaknesses these machines have.
I know what most people are probably wondering: how reliable are these machines and what, if any, are the failure rates/percentages? Well, according to the NIH, or National Institute of Health, they have researched and calculated that "Out of the 10624 reports, there have been 144 deaths, 1391 patient injuries, and 8601 device malfunctions. That means that for every 100,000 procedures, around 74.2-92.7 people are killed or injured." While the number seems low, with approximately a 3% fail rate, the main reason that these injuries were sustained was from device malfunctions. Electrical power, coding malfunctions, or even power outages shouldn't be the root cause of an unsuccessful surgery.
Conclusion
While we have only scratched the surface of advanced technology in the realm of surgery, it is important to acknowledge the different sides and the benefits or drawbacks that they have. For me personally, I would still be more comfortable with the idea of a surgeon handling my operation. However, the question remains; what would you choose? Will you stick to the norm of regular surgery, or are you open-minded to the idea of a robot handling your surgery?
Sources
Works Cited
"Robotic Surgery in Gynecology Practice: Current Approaches." Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 28, no. 1, 31 Mar. 2012. Gale Health and Wellness, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A281708900/HWRC?u=ever01909&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=9d452980. Accessed 15 Jan. 2024.
Spiwak, Allison Joan, MSBME, and Tammy Allhoff. "Robot-Assisted Surgery." The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery and Medical Tests, edited by Deirdre S. Hiam, 4th ed., vol. 3, Gale, 2020, pp. 1630-1633. Gale Health and Wellness, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX7980900482/HWRC?u=ever01909&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=baae0e61. Accessed 15 Jan. 2024.
Gkegkes, IoannisD, et al. “Robotics in General Surgery: A Systematic Cost Assessment.”
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery, vol. 13, no. 4, 2017, p. 243,
Alemzadeh, Homa, et al. “Adverse Events in Robotic Surgery: A Retrospective Study of 14
Years of FDA Data.” PLOS ONE, edited by Hyun-Sung Lee, vol. 11, no. 4, Apr. 2016, p.
e0151470, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151470. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board