Robotics: The Future of Bariatric Surgery

Robotics: The Future of Bariatric Surgery

robotic surgery

If obesity is taking its toll on your well-being and traditional weight loss methods like diet and exercise aren’t helping, it may be time to consider bariatric surgery. Luckily, technology has advanced to make minimally invasive robotic surgery a reality, allowing patients minimal scarring, less pain and reduced downtime.

What is Robotic Bariatric Surgery?

Robotic bariatric surgery is the latest technological advancement to the bariatric surgery procedure. The robot consists of a cluster of arms and a camera. The arms can hold and manipulate tools with extreme accuracy.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a console, manipulating the arms and camera through the 3D high-definition views that the camera provides. The camera allows the surgeon to view the procedure with a magnified area at ten times what the human eye sees. They can then perform the surgery by manipulating the arms through an incision that is no larger than your fingertip.

The arms translate the surgeon’s movements in real time, bending and rotating the instruments to move like a real hand, with an extended range of motion. The arms can enhance sophisticated maneuvers without human error and extend what the surgeon’s capabilities are.

Benefits of Robotic Bariatric Surgery

Robotic bariatric surgery comes with some very real benefits. Those include:

  • Better clarity – The robot has binocular vision, increasing depth perception and providing a sharp, clear view for the surgeon
  • More range of motion – The robot arms have “wrists” which provide a broader range of motion than the laparoscopic equipment, allowing surgeons to be more precise and accurate
  • Smaller incisions – Robotic bariatric surgery creates incisions that are 8mm (1/3 of an inch) in length, leaving fewer visible scars and reducing the risk of infection
  • Shorter hospital stays and recovery time – Robotic bariatric surgery is minimally invasive, meaning there will be less pain, less time in the hospital and a quicker recovery period
  • More ergonomics – The robot allows the surgeon to sit at a console with controls that are within comfortable reach, preventing the surgeon from becoming fatigued during long surgery and ensuring precision
  • Revisional surgery – Robotics can be utilized during revisional bariatric surgery to add accuracy when dealing with scar tissue or adhesions from the previous surgery 

Types of Robotic Bariatric Procedures Performed

At Advanced Laparoscopic Associates, a number of bariatric and general procedures are performed with the help of our surgical robot. Those procedures include:

Each of these procedures is an established practice at ALA. Although the technology is cutting-edge, they have been proven to be safe and effective.

At ALA, we strive to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. If you would like to learn more about bariatric robotic surgery, and if a procedure is right for you, schedule an appointment at ALA to discuss if you’re a good candidate for robot-assisted surgery.