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Robotic surgery with the da Vinci robot

Advanced, future-first technology that helps you recover faster than with traditional surgery

Surgeon performing robotic surgery with the da Vinci robot
Robotic surgery is more accurately described as robot-assisted surgery, because surgical robots don't actually perform the operation. It is important to remember that during during robotic-assisted surgery, your consultant is in control at all times. The da Vinci robot is simply used by experienced surgeons in theatre to make complex surgery less invasive, which makes for a swifter return home from hospital and a generally faster recovery period. 

There are many different surgical robots available for consultants to perform robotic surgery. Each advanced, future-first model works slightly differently, but each comes with a huge range of benefits that can be life-changing. Da Vinci robotic procedures allow for more precision and accuracy during surgery and in many cases smaller incisions. This offers reduced pain, a faster recovery, reduced scarring, and sometimes better long-term outcomes.

The da Vinci surgical robot is a market-leading, cutting-edge machine designed to make your surgery as smooth and tailored as possible. 

The robot consists of a series of mechanical arms, which are linked to a console controlled by your surgeon. The system translates your surgeon's hand movements in real time, so that the robotic arms move in the same way. The robotic instruments of the da Vinci robot move like a human hand and wrist, but they have a greater range of motion and can make tiny movements. Your surgeon can use the da Vinci robotic system to make smaller and more accurate movements than possible with their own hands. This allows them to be more precise than ever during surgery, especially when it comes to making tiny incisions. 

Robotic surgery using the da Vinci is minimally invasive surgery, performed without the need to use one large incision when performing surgery. The system features tiny surgical instruments that can be inserted through one to three very small incisions, along with a camera that allows your consultant to watch everything that is happening via a high-definition, 3D real-time image.

The main benefits of the da Vinci robotic system derive from how precise it allows your surgeon to be. Robotic surgery allows us to perform minimally invasive surgery in more instances than we would be able to otherwise. It can allow for greater precision during surgery, significantly improving outcomes. In some cases, the robot allows us to perform surgical procedures that would not be possible or advisable without the technology. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery compared to open surgery include:

  • Smaller incisions and less scarring
  • Less blood loss
  • Reduced postoperative pain
  • Reduced hospital stay
  • Faster recovery and return to normal activities
  • Fewer complications

These benefits are further enhanced by the use of the da Vinci surgical robot. Benefits specific to surgery with the da Vinci system include:

  • Further reduced risk of blood loss
  • Less damage to surrounding tissue and nerves
  • Lower risk of infection
  • Further reduced hospital stay and recovery times
  • Better patient outcomes
  • The ability to use robotic techniques for more complex and delicate procedures

The da Vinci surgical system is designed to assist in a wide range of types of surgery across many specialisms. Typically, it is used in laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery. At Circle Health Group, our consultant surgeons use the robot to support with:

Robotic prostatectomy is a well-established surgical practice and has been shown to offer better overall outcomes in terms of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to non-robotic surgical techniques.

In 2020, 89% of prostatectomies in England were carried out using the da Vinci surgical system.

Mr Adam Brooks, a consultant general surgeon at The Park Hospital, answers common questions about robotic hernia surgery.

What are the benefits of using the da Vinci robot to perform hernia surgery?

"The main benefits are vision, precision and dexterity. The surgical view is magnified 10 times, allowing us to see structures that are invisible even laparoscopically. The hernia repair can be undertaken precisely with exact placement of the mesh. Movements are finer, providing significantly more operative dexterity, which improves safety and reduces the impact on the incisions we make into your skin, which can in turn reduce postoperative pain."

Does the procedure work differently?

"For groin hernia surgery, which is typically performed laparoscopically, the operation is similar. However, the finer and more precise dissection as well as accurate mesh placement, and the benefits of robotic suturing, make the robotic procedure far better.

"Robotic surgery for larger abdominal wall hernias and incisional hernias is significantly different from open surgery, which is how it has traditionally been performed. The da Vinci allows us to offer minimal access surgery, which brings with it less pain,  more rapid recovery and excellent aesthetic results."

What types of hernia can be treated using this technology?

"All groin hernias and most abdominal wall and incisional hernias can be repaired robotically."

Mr Adam Brooks, a consultant general surgeon at The Park Hospital, answers common questions about robotic gallbladder removal surgery, also known as a laparoscopic or robotic cholecystectomy.

What are the benefits of robotic gallbladder removal surgery using the da Vinci?

"The precise movements of the instruments and the enhanced magnification of the surgical view improve the safety of the operation, whilst the ability to deploy fluorescent imaging helps identify critical structures.

"I would always use the robot now to perform cases where I would previously have used laparoscopic surgery. And I am also able to undertake many more cases robotically (and therefore minimally invasively) that I would not previously have been able to do laparoscopically."

Does the procedure work differently?

"The technique to remove a gallbladder using the da Vinci is a very similar operation to laparoscopic surgery, however the robot gives us the ability to complete the procedure in a more controlled environment, with better vision, dexterity and precision."

Circle Health Group's da Vinci robots are located at The Park Hospital in Nottingham, Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, and The Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle. These are the only private hospital outside of London to have these robots.

If you think you could benefit from robotic surgery, give us a call or book online for an initial consultation with one of our talented surgeons.

You don't need to live locally to have treatment with us. We also welcome patients from further afield and many people travel to The Park Hospital, Ross Hall Hospital or The Alexandra Hospital to take advantage of our da Vinci robotic surgical systems, from places across the UK and even abroad.

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

  • Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
  • The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
  • Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
  • Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
  • Private ensuite rooms as standard
  • A range of delicious healthy meals
  • Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
  • Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about robotic surgery, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

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