da Vinci® Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is the most advanced form of minimally invasive surgery available today. The University of Kansas Health System offers the da Vinci® surgical system for robotic-assisted surgery.

Robotic surgery with the da Vinci surgical system allows physicians to perform complex procedures with precision. The da Vinci's high-definition 3D vision and magnified view enhances the surgeon's capabilities. The surgery is performed entirely by your doctor, who controls the da Vinci system that translates their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements.

Not every surgery can be performed with the da Vinci surgical system, and not everyone is a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery. Your doctor will talk more with you about your surgical options when you discuss your treatment plan together.

By utilizing the da Vinci surgical system, our surgeons have an enhanced 3D view of the surgical field with the capability to “zoom in” and magnify up to 12 times the normal size. The robotic arms allow superior flexibility and maneuverability that improve the surgeon’s control and precision.

The robot does not make any decisions or movements on its own, nor can it be programmed to act independently. It has no autonomy and moves only from direct input from the surgeon. The da Vinci surgical system is extremely versatile. Doctors worldwide have used it successfully in hundreds of thousands of procedures.

Using da Vinci, your doctor can perform complex procedures through just a few small incisions. As a result, you can get back to normal life faster without the usual recovery that follows traditional surgery.

Benefits of robotic surgery may include:

• Faster recovery and return to normal daily activities
• Improved healing and reduced scarring
• Reduced bleeding and need for transfusions
• Reduced pain and trauma to the body
• Reduced risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay

Together, these technological advancements provide da Vinci surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally invasive approach to many complex surgical procedures.

The da Vinci robotic system consists of 3 components:

• A remote console from where the surgeon operates
• Patient side cart, which includes interactive robotic arms
• 3D vision system and cart

At the start of the robotic surgery procedure, the surgeon fills the patient’s abdomen with carbon dioxide using a small incision less than 2 centimeters. After the abdomen is distended, a light and camera are inserted to view the abdominal contents.

If the surgeon feels the operation can be completed robotically, the surgeon will proceed and make 3-6 incisions approximately 1-2 centimeters in length. Through these incisions, cannulas (instrument holders) are inserted through the skin into the abdomen. The patient side cart, which includes flexible, mechanical arms, is then brought to the patient and “docked,” or connected to the cannulas.

Once the robot is docked, the surgeon sits at a master console, which is in the same room as the patient. An assistant surgeon remains at the bedside to change instruments and assist.

At the console, the surgeon sees a magnified, 3D view of the operating field and is able to direct the robot’s arm movements by placing his or her hands in the master control handles. The surgeon’s movements are scaled and translated to precise movements of the instruments at the bedside. The surgeon’s hand tremor is also filtered and removed.

The robotic arms and specialized endowrist instruments combine to allow the instruments to move similar to that of a human wrist. The system allows 7 degrees of freedom, or axes of movement.

Once the procedure is complete, the patient side cart is unhooked, or undocked, from the patient. All of the instruments and cannulas are removed, and the small incisions are closed.