Robotic Cancer Surgery: What is It & Process?

By Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan in Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care , Centre for Robotic Surgery , Robotic Surgery Program

Apr 24 , 2023 | 3 min read

Many of us could be unaware of the fact that India is considered a top contender for medical facilities in the entire world, primarily because of the world-class services available at cost-effective prices. Just to quote an example, last year a foreign friend of mine was operated on in one of the best hospital in Maharashtra for cancer treatment. She was advised by her doctors in her native country to visit India for medical tourism, and she agreed.

On her visit to India, she was taken aback by the medically advanced units in the hospital. She was made to go through a detailed diagnostic assessment. The results were considered in working on the most effective and suitable form of treatment. The doctors came to the conclusion that she must be operated on with one of the best robotic treatments. I contacted her last month and she happily told me about her healthy recovery and her new job.

It was her treatment with the robotic surgery hospital in Mumbai which benefitted her the most. So, what actually is robotic surgery for cancer treatment? Unlike the name of the procedure, robotic surgery is not performed via any robot. In fact, the name of this treatment is derived from the use of scientifically advanced robotic tools for removing tumours through surgical interventions.

Before jumping to the details, let me advise you what any robotic surgery specialist in India would recommend you to do, always rely on experienced surgeons for treatments through robotic surgery, special extensive robotic training is a must for these surgeons, and ensure that their credibility of successful work experience is genuine. Let's look into detail the process of robotic surgery for cancer treatment.

The manual requirement of operating medical instruments for the surgery is all carried out by two robotic arms.
These two robotic arms are then controlled by the surgeon with joystick-like equipment for facilitating these robotic arms for their required purpose.
One robotic arm is equipped with a laparoscope which makes the surgery minimally invasive in nature.
On the other robotic arm, the setup for handling the surgical instruments is attached.
The position of the surgeon is located to view the tumour to be operated on in a three-dimensional way which provides a clear detailed view to the surgeon for precise operation.
A small incision is made through which surgical instruments are inserted inside the body and through the process, the tumours are removed.

The experts in cancer robotic surgery in India have been concerned about awarding people with realistic expectations of robotic surgery for cancer treatment. Obviously, robotic surgery has certain benefits which were will see below but not every case of robotic surgery is supposed to be successful. It is important to explore all the options before opting for robotic surgery just because its scientifically laced process gives the idea of accomplishing healthy outcomes. Investigating in detail about the hospital and its surgeons is a matter of concern and it should be paid respect with utmost sincerity.

Now, we will see why robotic surgery is recommended and it has become a well-known and recommended treatment for dealing with cases of cancer. The simplest answer lies in the very process of robotic surgery. The minimally invasive procedure carried out by precisely working robotic arms facilitates working with accuracy, even the extreme parts which else could not have been treated with mere manual dexterity can be potentially operated by robotic surgery. In addition to these advantages, robotic surgery enhances the quick recovery of the patient and the patient can be discharged from the hospital in quite a short span of time.

Also Read About Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer

Reviewed By

Dr Ganesh Nagarajan (Director - Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery & Gastrointestinal Oncology)

Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan is the Director - Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery & Gastrointestinal Oncology and one of the finest Oncosurgeons in India. With an experience of over 22 years, he specialises in surgeries for cancers of the liver, bile duct and gall bladder, pancreatic resections for pancreatic cancer, colorectal, stomach, oesophageal and intestinal cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, abdominal sarcomas, retroperitoneal tumours, vascular resections and reconstructions in HPB tumours.