Robotic surgery in gynecology

Abstract

Review 224 Robotic surgery in gynecologyRobotic surgery is a dynamic development for minimally invasive procedures. The specialty of gynecology consistently offers new opportunities for innovative surgical techniques and the advancement of existing therapy approaches (Figure 1). Ever since the American FDA granted approval of the Da Vinci operation robot for gynecological operations in 2005, about three million robotic operations have been performed worldwide. 3500 Da Vinci systems are currently in use: 586 of these in Europe and 77 in Germany (4 th quarter of 2015). According to the figures of Intuitive Surgical, about 600,000 interventions were performed on a worldwide basis in the year 2014, of which 50% were performed in gynecology, approximately 30% in urology, and about 20% in general and chest surgeries. In 2011, the proportion of robotic hysterectomies performed for benign indications in the USA was as high as 27% (1). Currently, we have experience in robotic surgery for the majority of gynecological operations and fields of application. The known advantages of minimally invasive surgery, such as less blood loss, shorter durations of hospital stay, and lower patient morbidity compared to open procedures, have been observed here as well. Better exposure of the operating field by 3D technology and the extension of surgical instruments to 7 degrees of freedom permit the use of minimally invasive surgery, even for complex indications. Robot-assisted manipulation of the instruments permits tremor-free handling and reduces work fatigue for the surgeon, which is very advantageous for the surgeon as well as the patient in long and complex interventions. The possibility of working simultaneously on two parallel consoles shortens the learning curve, reduces complication rates, and facilitates the training of surgeons (2). The advancement of robotic surgery in terms of the Da Vinci Xi permits the variable use of optics in all four trocars (paraaortic lymphadenectomy, omentectomy, or interdisciplinary surgery in the upper abdomen can be performed without re-docking) and ensures markedly greater flexibility due to the optimized geometry of the so-called patient cart. Robotic surgery has been criticized for the fact that it requires the use of larger trocars compared to conventional laparoscopy, and is therefore associated with more numerous and larger cosmetic scars; this is avoided by the smaller trocars now used in robotic surgery (3). The development of the single-site systems signifies further new options for the gynecological surgeon (Figure 2). For instance, freedom of movement is now maximized by the introduction of one or more additional working trocars (4, 5). The low level of postoperative pain appears to be another advantage. It is accompanied by a lesser need for analgesics and even shorter hospital stays compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery. One explanation could be the fact that the abdominal wall need not be used as a counter bearing. The absence of irritation and the advantage of tissue protec...

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