Da Vinci Robot and Bariatric Surgery

I have been pondering the possible place for the Da Vinci Robot in bariatric surgery for a few years. Although it is an expensive device, (about 2.5 Million dollars per robot), I am now convinced there is very real value for bariatric patients and their surgeons.

First, he patient is likely to benefit by having less incisions decreasing from four ¾ inch incisions and one 1 ¼ inch incision to two ¾ inch incisions and two ½ inch incisions. This alone should decrease pain and shorten recovery time. In addition the robot “remembers” the point each device passes through the abdominal wall and pivots at this point decreasing the trauma to the abdominal wall tissues thus decreasing pain even more.

Second, the surgeon can see better since the view is a 3 dimensional view instead of the 2 dimensional view with standard laparoscopy. The better the surgeon can see the safer the operation. Who wouldn’t like there surgeon to see as well as possible during their operation?

Another issue is the reduced wear and tear on the surgeon. Operation on persons of size is physically demanding and allowing the robot to take the physical load while the surgeon is guiding every move of the robot while sitting comfortably at the console may add years to the length of a surgeons career.

Two weeks ago I spent the day in New England with Dr. Toder who performed 2 gastric bypass operations that day. It was clear to me that using the Da Vinci robot would be of benefit to our patients.

Riverside presently has 2 robots and they will be installing the third and most up to date robot in the operating room I usually use to do bariatric surgery operations by the middle of September 2010.

Over the next 6 weeks I will be training on this new instrument. I am hoping the robot will reduce the number of days a patient stays in the hospital from 2 days to one day.

I will post regular updates as we make this transition to this advanced technique to keep you informed.