Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery
The laparoscopic and robotic platforms are similar tools a surgeon uses to perform Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS).
Both platforms use skinny instruments through tiny tubes that go from the outside world into the abdomen through the abdominal muscles.
Many factors go into your surgeon's decision about which approach to use for your surgery. Factors include your medical and surgical history, the surgeon's training, the availability of the robot and specialized technicians required to assist the surgeon at the bedside for robotic cases. Scroll down to see the robotic arms and how the surgeon controls them.
Robotic Arms
During robotic surgery, the numbered "robotic arms" hold the surgical instruments. The robotic console is at the bedside, where the surgeon would ordinarily stand during laparoscopic or open surgery.
Laparoscopic Instruments
These laparoscopic instruments have long, skinny arms which allow them to fit inside tiny incisions and reach across the abdomen. The surgeon controls the "scissor" action of the instrument tip with the handle. Surgeons often call laparoscopic surgery "straight stick" surgery, as the instruments only move with a scissor action. In contrast, the robotic instruments have a "wrist" allowing better maneuverability of the instrument tip.