5 Benefits of Robotic Technology for Colorectal Surgery

When you hear the word robot and it’s attached to the word surgery, the image that jumps to your mind might be that of a lone, human-like machine in the operating room. Well, that’s not the case at all, which is why we call it robot-assisted surgery.

The reality is that we use precise robotic technology and blend it with our human experience to provide you with a much higher standard of care.

The colorectal surgeons here at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery pride themselves on staying abreast of the latest technologies and science when it comes to treating colorectal disease surgically. As part of these efforts, we’ve equipped ourselves with advanced daVinci® robotic technology, which offers many benefits that we review below.

1. More precision and steadiness

When we refer to robot-assisted technology, in practice it involves robotic instruments, or “Arms,” that translate the movements of the surgeon’s hands. 

While our surgeons are highly experienced, they’re still human, and human hands aren’t as steady as machines. With daVinci robotic arms, we’re able to perform colorectal surgeries with more accuracy and precision, giving new meaning to a steady hand.

3. Increased flexibility in smaller spaces

As surgeons, our goal is always to minimize collateral tissue damage. Thanks to laparoscopy, we’re often able to avoid making large incisions, instead making only a few small ones, through which we can thread specialized instruments and a camera.

And once inside, the daVinci robotic arms and instruments can execute precise movements in much smaller spaces than human hands are capable of. As a result, we can avoid a good deal of damage to neighboring tissues, which isn’t usually the case with traditional open surgery.

4. Your surgeon is in control the whole time

A great benefit of robot-assisted surgery is that we don’t lose the important human component. Our surgeons are in control the entire time and use a console to operate the daVinci instruments remotely. 

There’s also a large monitor at the console that provides a much more detailed view of the surgical site.

So, your colorectal surgery is a truly hands-on effort for the team, and they’re actively involved the whole way through.

1. Available for many colorectal surgeries

We’re able to avail ourselves of this great robotic technology for a host of colorectal issues that often require surgery, such as:

• Inflammatory bowel disease, which affects up to 3.1 million Americans
• Diverticulitis, which requires surgery in up to one-quarter of cases
• Colon polyps
• Colon cancer

There are times when these issues might require open surgery, but, more often than not, we can use minimally invasive surgical techniques and robot technology. 

1. Faster recovery and less pain

With daVinci robot-assisted surgery, we’re able to reduce pain, blood loss, risk of infection, and length of hospital stay for a much improved recovery over traditional surgery.

There are more benefits of robot-assisted surgery for your colorectal needs, but the above are the main attractions. If you’d like to learn more or you have more questions about this surgical approach, we invite you to contact our offices in Virginia, at 703-280-2841.