Introduction
For a long time, many surgeons have employed their hands in carrying out surgery of their patients. However, starting from1994, enormous developments started taking place in the field of medicine, one such developments being the innovation and introduction of the first approved robotic surgical device that provided enormous help to surgery processes in hospitals after being licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (Lowenfels Para. 1). Vijay Kumar Soni has defined a robot as a structure that is automated and has mechanical assembly that has the ability to interact with the environment (Soni Para. 1).
In medicine, robots have been utilized in surgery, more so in providing assistance to the process of surgery thereby relieving human surgeons some work. Today, the field of robot surgery is growing at a first rate due to increased innovation in science and technology. The notable advances that have taken place as far as robot surgery is concerned include “remote surgery, minimally invasive surgery and the unmanned surgery” (Soni Para. 1). Nevertheless, since the conception of robot surgery, there have been many advantages realized from the process while at the same time numerous disadvantages have also been associated with the process. Therefore, the aim of this essay paper will be to look at both the advantages and disadvantages of robot surgery before making conclusion.
Advantages of robot surgery
Soni observes that the robot system or method of providing the key assistance to surgery has many advantages that include “precision, smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, decreased pain, and faster healing time” (Soni Para. 1).
Further, according to the author robot surgery as a new way of carrying out major surgical assignment shows the extent to which revolution has taken place in the fields of medicine and surgery where the doctors have been presented with the opportunity to provide treatment to many patients at a faster rate. On his part, Lowenfels notes that robot surgery equipment has provided surgeons with excellent opportunity to carry out the obvious technical parts of an operation, which generally include “tissue dissection, cauterization, control of bleeding and suturing and because the computer interface smoothes the surgeon’s movements, cases of surgical tremor are highly minimized” (Lowenfels Para. 2).
The advantages the author further notes include: surgery robots are designed as three-dimensional version that are composed of dual-camera photo system that has enabled highly sensitive and tiny operation to be carried out; surgery robots constitute an improved dexterity that is manifested through jointed instruments that have the ability to “simulate the finger and wrist motion” (Lowenfels Para. 8).
Second, surgery robots are effective in decreasing tumor since the computerized system has the ability of simplifying the movements of the hands. Third, the robot surgery further has been observed to increase comfort on the part of the patient as the surgery proceeds, and this results from ergonomic position that the robot assumes as the operation proceeds. Lastly, the robot surgery systems exhibit telesurgical capabilities where it is easier and faster to send instructions from the computer to the remote locations (Lowenfels Para. 8).
Furthermore, the operation carried out using robots is always conducted through small portals, an event that has capability to reduce loses of blood, pain caused by postoperative and lessen period the patient has to undergo hospitalization (Lowenfels Para. 5). Reiterating the point, the author further explains how robot surgery has become beneficial when its applications are done in various surgical fields that include general surgery, pediatric surgery, urologic surgery, and cardiac surgery (Lowenfels Para. 6-8).
Disadvantages of robot surgery
Lowenfels notes the major disadvantages of robot surgery to include” high cost, learning curve, longer operating time, rapidly changing field and loss of haptic sensation” (Lowenfels Para. 8). On their part, Lanfranco, Anthony R., et al (Para. 1) identify some of the disadvantages associated with surgery robots. To them, one disadvantage include the fact that robot surgery still remains as a relatively new field whereby there is still underutilization of technology. The authors note that although numerous studies in form of feasibilities have been carried out, the procedures largely used in the field need to undergo re-designation in order to realize efficient use of robotic arms and increase its efficiency (Lanfranco, Anthony R., et al Para. 1).
Another disadvantage is the cost, where the price for a single robot translates into millions of dollars and as a result majority of surgical operations are yet to optimize this method of surgery. Associated to cost is the expenses the hospitals have to incur in terms of repair and maintenance, as relatively larger budget has to be set aside to cater for eventual repairs and maintenance (Lanfranco, Anthony R., et al Para. 2).
The size of the robot is another limitation affecting the application of robotics. Many designs possess large footprints and unwieldy robotic arms, and considering the shrinking space in the current crowded-operating rooms, it is becoming harder for the robots to fit in the surgical rooms, at the same time putting up larger space to accommodate the systems is even more expensive (Lanfranco, Anthony R., et al Para. 3).
Lastly, there is lack of compatible instruments and other necessary equipment, a scenario that has forced over-reliance on table assistants making it illogic of what a new technology should do. In most cases a new technology should be designed to address the existing shortcomings and not compliment the existing ones (Gerhardus par.15).
Conclusion
Robot surgery presents a successful case in development of technology in medical and surgery fields. The technology is still in its infancy but the benefits are in a first pace filling the mouth of everybody. However, the perfection of the technology has not been guaranteed, with some shortcomings have been identified. Although the shortcomings may not outweigh the benefits, it is recommendable that further improvement of the technology is undertaken in order to have a more reliable and efficient technological equipment as far as the lives of individuals are concerned.
Works Cited
Gerhardus, Diana. “Robot-assisted surgery: the future is here.” Journal of Healthcare Management. 2003. Web.
Lanfranco, Anthony R., et al. Robot Surgery: A Current Perspective: Disadvantages of ROBOT-Assisted Surgery. Annals of Surgery, 2004. Web.
Lowenfels, Albert. B. Robotics. Medscape General Surgery. 2010. Web.
Soni, Vijay K. “Da Vinci Robotic Surgery: Pros and Cons.” Da Vinci Robotic Surgery: Pros and Cons 2010. Web.