Robotic surgery in gynaecology with millimetre precision.

When people hear “robotic surgery”, patients and their relatives often imagine that a robot performs the operation. However advanced robotic technologies may be, it is important to understand that no operation can take place without a doctor. Contrary to popular belief, in robotic surgery the surgeon is in full control. The surgeon simply performs the operation using the robotic arms.

With artificial intelligence advancing and being used in so many fields today, some people may assume that AI performs the operation when robotic surgery is mentioned. In the da Vinci robotic system we use in surgery, the robot is controlled entirely by the surgeon.

Another common misconception about robotic surgery is the belief that the patient is left alone during the operation. Throughout surgery, an anaesthesia team stays with every anaesthetised patient; while the surgeon operates from the robot’s console, another surgeon or assistant and the nurse responsible for the operation remain at the patient’s side.

In open surgery a large incision is made in the abdomen, whereas in laparoscopic and robotic surgery the procedure is performed with special instruments through small incisions of just a few centimetres. What sets robotic surgery apart from laparoscopy is that the surgeon’s hand movements are transferred tremor-free by the robotic arms, the image is 3D and high-definition, and wristed instruments allow more precise movement in tight spaces. This makes more detailed and safer surgery possible, particularly in operations involving complex and delicate tissue such as endometriosis. Which method is best for each patient is decided after the examination and imaging results have been evaluated.

One of the most important advantages of robotic surgery is a markedly shorter recovery than open surgery. Because the incisions are small, there is less pain, and patients can usually be discharged the day after surgery or within a few days. Light daily activities can be resumed within a short time, while the time needed to return to work or full activity depends on the extent of the operation and the patient’s overall health. Your individual recovery is assessed by your doctor at your post-operative check-ups.

Endometriosis is a condition that can make it harder to get pregnant, especially when it affects the ovaries and tubes. The high magnification and precise movement offered by robotic surgery make it possible to remove endometriosis lesions and cysts while causing as little damage as possible to healthy ovarian tissue and surrounding organs. This can help preserve ovarian reserve after surgery and support the chances of pregnancy, whether naturally or through methods such as IVF. The effect of surgery on pregnancy varies with the stage of the disease and individual factors; for this reason, the process is evaluated with a multidisciplinary approach covering gynaecology and reproductive health.