This paper examines robotic surgery technology, particularly the Da Vinci system, analyzing both its clinical benefits and significant drawbacks. The paper discusses complications such as prolonged hospital stays, anesthesia risks, signal delays, and high equipment costs ranging from $1–1.5 million. It also highlights advantages including smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, shorter recovery times, improved surgical precision, and increased surgeon confidence. The analysis demonstrates that while robotic surgery presents risks, the efficiency and accuracy gains, combined with reduced hospitalization costs and infection rates, make it an increasingly valuable tool in modern surgical practice.
Technology around the world has evolved dramatically over many years and has significantly changed society. As different aspects of technology become more advanced, they transform and improve the world people live in. Robotic surgery allows for enhanced outcomes in many different procedures performed by robots compared to procedures performed by the human hand. Robotic surgery continues to play a major role in the growth of medical technology. Patients debate whether robotic surgery plays a more positive or negative role in healthcare. Each day, surgeons discover more about what robots can accomplish during surgery than anyone could ever imagine. Even though there may be some risks concerning robotic surgery, many people prefer using the robot over a surgeon because it is more efficient and accurate than the human hand.
If someone is planning to take advantage of robotic surgery, it is important to consider the negatives. Since robotic surgery is relatively new, surgeons continue to identify different problems they need to solve as the technology advances. Robotic surgery can lead to certain complications, starting with prolonged hospital stays. According to Women's Health Weekly, "Complications leading to prolonged hospital stay, re-admission, re-operation, intravenous antibiotic treatment, or blood transfusions were considered significant." Everyone's body is affected by medications differently, and some people need more doses of medications than others depending on their size, gender, and weight.
An important consideration is that anesthesia-related risks increase as surgical times extend. As Allison Joan Spiwak notes, "There is an increased risk of anesthesia related complications as surgical times increase." Since robots have not been in use for a long time, surgeons are still working to improve the technology. When a surgeon sends the robot specific signals about where to make an incision, there may be delayed complications. According to the Business Economics and Theory Collections database, "The main limitation to such a system is the time delay in the sending of signals." Additionally, humans direct robotic procedures, and human error remains a factor. Spiwak states, "If the robotic procedure is not completed successfully, the surgeon may need to complete the procedure with a traditional technique." In some cases, a patient may require a longer procedure time if a surgeon creates a complication during the robotic operation.
In addition to safety concerns, robotic surgery is extremely expensive. The Da Vinci robotic system, which is the most common robot used during surgeries, can range from 1 million dollars to 1.5 million dollars. Most people in the United States lack comprehensive insurance coverage, and the price to use this equipment can range from 1,200 to 1,500 dollars more than performing a basic surgery without the robot. Depending on the patient and their specific condition, surgical expenses can rise even further. For many patients, robotic surgery may not be a viable option due to cost or lack of insurance coverage.
Although there are some risky behaviors associated with robotic procedures, there are also many affirmative results. It is important to consider that robotic surgery provides major advantages to patients who use it. Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform procedures by making smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, scarring, and recovery time for certain patients. Hysterectomies performed with robotic assistance show particular promise in obese women. According to Women's Health Weekly, "Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in obese women is associated with shorter hospital stay, less bleeding, and fewer complications."
With the use of smaller incisions, patients benefit from decreased blood loss—100 milliliters compared to 300 milliliters—which leads to shorter hospital stays of 1.6 days compared to 3.8 days. Since most patients experience shorter hospital stays, many also have a decreased risk of post-surgical infection. Robots are steadier than a surgeon's human hand, and as Spiwak explains, "the surgeon is also able to make more precise movements using motion scaling." Making smaller incisions reduces the need for extensive stitching. The precision with which a surgeon makes an incision can determine how much bleeding occurs after surgery.
As more surgeons learn and develop expertise in robotic surgery, the confidence of surgeons using robots actually increases compared to surgeons who do not use them. With increased surgeon confidence comes an increased success rate of surgery. This is relevant because if the surgeon feels they will complete the surgery successfully, they are more likely to do so. According to Professional Services Close-up, "The big advantage to this advancement is that the surgeon will have enhanced depth perception when viewing the procedure inside the patient's body."
Many surgeons feel more comfortable using the robot than performing surgery manually. Surgeons in training who are learning how to use the robot also feel more suitable with the technology. A survey from Women's Health Weekly shows that "65% who responded feel comfortable using the robot, and 94% plan on performing robotic surgery upon completion of fellowship training." The sense of having the opportunity to save more lives brings significant satisfaction to surgeons. For both the patient and the surgeon, robotic-assisted procedures can relieve pressure and stress before surgery begins.
Although cost is a major barrier, there is a way that hospitals are able to save money overall through robotic surgery investments. While the initial capital investment is substantial, patients are released from the hospital earlier than they would be after traditional surgery. This creates more room for additional patients to stay in the hospital. According to Women's Health Weekly, "Moreover, it has been estimated that hospitals save money overall because the length of post-surgical hospitalization is cut in half."
Hospitals spend significant amounts of money on supplies and equipment every year to save patients' lives. Although robotic surgery is expensive, there are multiple advantages that make overall cost savings achievable. Hospitals benefit from the robot because there are countless successful procedures and various fast recoveries. Since patients do not need to stay in a recovery room for extended periods, the shorter hospital stay creates more capacity for additional operations, which brings more revenue to each hospital.
Even though there may be some risks concerning robotic surgery, most people prefer using the robot over a surgeon because robotic surgery is more efficient and accurate than the human hand. As technology continues to advance and patients are finally exposed to the benefits of robot-assisted surgery, the need for robotic procedures will continue to grow. Soon, robot-assisted surgery will change people's lives around the world. Technology will continue to advance throughout the years, and it is only a matter of time before robotic surgery plays one of the most important roles in a patient's medical care.
You’re 97% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.