About Robotic Surgery
Key Highlights
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Enhanced Precision & Dexterity: Robotic arms filter hand tremors and allow for greater range of motion than the human hand, enabling delicate maneuvers in tight spaces.Superior 3D Visualization: Surgeons operate with a magnified, high-definition 3D view of the surgical anatomy for exceptional accuracy.Minimally Invasive Approach: Procedures are performed through a few small incisions, reducing trauma to surrounding tissues.listrongReduced Blood Loss & Pain:/strong Smaller incisions and precise movements typically lead to less intraoperative bleeding and post-operative discomfort./lilistrongShorter Hospital Stay & Faster Recovery:/strong Patients often experience quicker recovery times and can return to normal activities sooner compared to open surgery./lilistrongReduced Risk of Infection:/strong Smaller wounds lower the chance of surgical site infections./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Urology: Prostatectomy for prostate cancer, partial or radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer, pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction.
- Gynecology: Hysterectomy for fibroids or cancer, myomectomy, sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse, treatment of endometriosis.
- General Surgery: Complex hernia repairs, colorectal surgery (colectomy), gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), bariatric surgery.
- Cardiothoracic Surgery: Mitral valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), lung resection for cancer, thymectomy.
- Head & Neck Surgery: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for throat and tongue cancers.
- Other: Complex cases where traditional minimally invasive surgery is challenging due to anatomy or prior surgeries.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical evaluation, including blood tests, imaging (like CT or MRI), and cardiac clearance if needed.
- Discuss all current medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements) with your surgeon; you may need to stop some (like blood thinners) days before surgery.
- Follow specific dietary instructions, typically involving fasting (no food or drink) for 8-12 hours before the procedure.
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol for a period recommended by your healthcare team to optimize healing.
- Arrange for transportation home after discharge and for help at home during the initial recovery period.
- Complete any prescribed bowel preparation if undergoing abdominal or colorectal surgery.
- Attend a pre-anesthesia check-up to discuss anesthesia options and any allergies.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Reactions to anesthesia, infection, and bleeding.
- Risk of conversion to an open procedure if complications arise during the robotic surgery.
- Injury to surrounding organs, blood vessels, or nerves, though the risk may be lower than in open surgery.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
- Post-operative pain, shoulder tip pain (from gas used to inflate the abdomen), or hernia at an incision site.
- Technical failure of the robotic system, though rare, which may require procedure interruption.
- Procedure-specific risks (e.g., urinary incontinence after prostate surgery).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital involves monitoring vital signs, managing pain with medication, and encouraging early movement to prevent clots.
- You will be helped to start walking within hours to a day after surgery to aid recovery.
- Diet will progress from clear liquids to solid foods as bowel function returns.
- Incision care instructions will be provided; keep the small wounds clean and dry, watching for signs of infection.
- Avoid heavy lifting (typically >10 lbs or as advised), strenuous exercise, and driving for the period specified by your surgeon (often 2-4 weeks).
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor healing and discuss pathology results if tissue was removed.
- Gradually increase activity based on your body's feedback and your doctor's guidance; full recovery varies by procedure.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-5 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering robotic surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with robotic surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform robotic surgery. MediFyr helps you compare robotic surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for robotic surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Patient Name: Vikram Reddy. Age &...
Patient Name: Vikram Reddy. Age & Background: 58, a civil engineer and avid tennis player who prides himself on his active lifestyle. Symptoms/History: For over a year, Vikram experienced increasing fatigue, a persistent dull ache in his left side, and blood in his urine. A CT scan revealed a 4.5 cm tumor on his left kidney. Doctor Recommendation: His urologist, Dr. Chen, recommended a robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy. She explained that the precision of the robot would allow her to remove the tumor while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible, which was crucial for Vikram's long-term health and active life. Treatment Experience: Vikram was anxious about the concept of 'robot surgery,' but the surgical team thoroughly walked him through the process, emphasizing the surgeon's complete control. The surgery lasted three hours. He woke with four small incisions on his abdomen and minimal pain. Post-Procedure Recovery Outcome: Vikram was walking the same evening and discharged home after two days. His kidney function remained excellent. He was back to light activities in two weeks and, after six weeks of careful recovery, was cleared to return to the tennis court. Emotional Journey: Before the procedure, Vikram was terrified, not just of cancer, but of losing the physical vitality that defined him. He felt his body had betrayed him. After the successful surgery and swift recovery, he felt profound gratitude. The experience gave him a new appreciation for his health and the technology that helped preserve it. He now volunteers to speak with other patients considering the procedure, offering reassurance from a place of lived experience.