Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic operation performed at a remote site: initial experience

Abstract

Robotic surgery is an option to laparoscopy that may offer some benefits including the possibility of performing surgery when the surgeon is geographically away from the patient and faster tireless repetitive movements with greater precision. At present, robot-assisted surgery has been done routinely in several institutions around the world, however, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first time such procedure is performed in our academic environment and herein is reported the first telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy performed in a domestic pig at our institution using the Zeus? robotic system (Computer Motion, EUA). The procedure was performed using two different operating rooms geographically apart from each other. The assistant was in an operating room that was set with the operating table and the pig as well as with the Zeus? robotic arms. In the other operating room, the surgeon was seated in the control console with a three-dimensional imaging five meters away from the operating table connected with electric cables. The assistant surgeon established the pneumoperitoneum and five trocars were placed in a fan configuration. The surgeon started performing the surgery using three out of the five ports taking control of the laparoscope (voice control) and manual control of laparoscopic instruments connected to the robotic arms using the joysticks. The other two ports were used by the assistant for traction and clips placement that was also necessary for exchanging the many laparoscopic instruments connected to the robot. The laparoscopic total cystectomy was successfully performed in 25 minutes with no complications. The truly benefits as well as the cost-effectiveness of the robotic surgery in our environment is yet to be determined after experience acquisition with telerobotic before start performing 309 such procedures routinely in humans. The present report shows the technical feasibility of telerobotic surgery in a developing country.Key words: Surgical technique. Laparoscopy. Robotics. Cystectomy. RESUMOA cirurgia totalmente robotizada é uma opção à laparoscopia que pode proporcionar alguns benefícios, entre os quais a realização dos incansáveis movimentos de repetição com maior precisão e rapidez e com o cirurgião localizado em ambiente geograficamente diferente do paciente. Relatamos, em nossa instituição, a primeira cistectomia totalmente robotizada à distância em um porco (raça Landrace) doméstico com o sistema robótico Zeus? (Computer Motion, EUA). A cirurgia foi realizada em duas salas geograficamente separadas, sendo que em uma delas, o porco foi posicionado na mesa cirúrgica bem como os braços do sistema Zeus? fixados de forma segura. Na seqüência, o assistente introduziu os cinco trocateres em forma de leque pela via transperitoneal após obtenção do pneumoperitônio pelo método fechado. Em outra sala, o cirurgião principal comandava os braços do robô através de controles manuais sentado dentro do console de comando do sistema Zeus ? , auxiliado por imagem de vídeo em três di...

Review on the Development of Assisted Endoscopic Surgery Robot Technology

“…(3)Remote manipulation in complex environments. Andreoni C et al [16] Research on remote control surgery ZEUS has implemented transatlantic surgery. It allowed doctors to operate in a more comfortable environment.…”