They build our cars, package our grocery products, and even vacuum our carpets: Today, robots are everywhere, and in most cases, we welcome them. But when it comes to surgery, plenty of people are a little surprised to learn that robots play a role there, too — and they’re even more surprised when they discover that their surgery will involve these state-of-the-art assistants.
But before you let your imagination get carried away, know this: Robot-assisted surgery is just that — surgery that uses robots as a sort of tool or surgical instrument that the surgeon guides. Robots will not perform your surgery — your surgeon will.
At his practices in Sugar Land and Houston, Texas, J. Michael Bennett, MD, PA, uses advanced surgical robot technology to perform complex surgeries, including total and partial knee replacement surgeries. If robot-assisted surgery is in your future, here’s how the technology could improve your recovery and outcome.
Surgical robot systems provide Dr. Bennett with an additional set of highly articulated “hands” capable of performing repetitive tasks in tiny areas with high precision.
The robot’s arms are capable of a far wider range of movements than human hands and arms, allowing them to perform complex and precise maneuvers in tiny spaces.
Alongside the arms is a high-definition camera system that allows Dr. Bennett to view the surgical site on a magnified monitor. The visualization system means Dr. Bennett gets a much more detailed view of the surgical site. He uses those real-time images to control the robot arms during the surgical procedure.
Of course, precision always matters in surgery, and Dr. Bennett’s extensive experience ensures every patient benefits from his accuracy and skills so that they can enjoy the best possible outcomes.
In robot-assisted surgery, precision is listed as one of the benefits because surgical robots are designed to perform specific steps of surgery with a high degree of reproducibility and accuracy. The robots are programmed to perform specific steps over and over again in the same way.
For instance, in total knee replacement, a surgical robot can ensure that the ends of the knee bones are prepared precisely, so the implant components fit more securely, reducing the risk of uneven wear and tear.
Surgical robots are also designed to achieve that precision using tiny incisions. Tiny incisions mean less tissue damage, less bleeding and bruising, less swelling, and less risk of infection. It also means you can enjoy a faster and more comfortable recovery.
Robot-assisted surgery offers many benefits, but it’s not the right choice for every surgery or every patient. After a thorough physical exam and a review of your history, Dr. Bennett will determine if it’s the right choice for you.
To learn more about robot-assisted surgery, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Bennett today.
