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The da Vinci System is a robotic surgical system that helps surgeons overcome limitations of traditional instruments and perform complex surgeries with minimal invasion
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It has 10x magnification and a 3D camera system which is perfectly suited for deep pelvic surgery such as prostate and kidney tumour removals
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Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is now the most common robotic procedure performed in Singapore and worldwide
The da Vinci Surgical System has revolutionised minimally invasive surgery since 2000. Manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, based in Sunnyvale, California, the da Vinci system works via a master-slave system, with the patient-side robot controllable by a master surgeon seated at a console. It features EndoWrist® instruments that mimic the natural range of motion of the human wrist and hand. In addition to this, it has motion scaling, tremor reduction and a 3D camera system that can overcome limitations of traditional instruments and enable surgeons to perform complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach.
The system comes with 10x magnification and 3D camera system, which is perfectly suited for deep pelvic surgery such as radical prostatectomy. Part of the procedure involves cross-connecting tubes linking the bladder to the urethra, and this requires stitching in the deep pelvic cavity which is extremely challenging with conventional laparoscopic fibre-optic instruments. In contrast, the da Vinci instrumentation allows the surgeon to perform the same procedure effortlessly.
Another component of the da Vinci Xi that is crucial to prostatectomies is fluorescent imaging, which allows for easier detection and thus, better preservation of nerve bundles that are important for erection and bladder control.
Nowadays, Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is the most common robotic procedure performed worldwide and in Singapore. RARP is also considered a standard treatment option for patients considering surgery for localised prostate cancer. It is proven to provide patients with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, low blood loss, short hospital stay and superior tumour treatment and outcomes. On average, patients are discharged after 2 days with a Foley catheter – a thin tube to drain urine – that is usually removed after 1 week.
Moreover, the da Vinci system also helps significantly in kidney cancer procedures known as partial nephrectomy, which refers to the partial removal of cancerous tumours or diseased tissue in the kidneys. This is done on patients with chronic kidney disease or those with a single kidney. In the past, the removal of complex tumours have been challenging with conventional minimally invasive approaches. But with da Vinci Xi, not only does it allow for precise tumour removal, but it can also reduce the time spent on suturing and reconstruction of the kidney.
FeM Surgey’s urologist Dr Png Keng Siang has published a study of 4,900 patients which proved that robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has reduced complications and provided less conversion to radical kidney operations as compared to open surgery.
Given the advances in technology, systems such as da Vinci have not only given patients the luxury to explore different surgical options, but also enhanced surgeons’ capabilities as well. Take this as a tiny peek into the future medicine, where humans and robots can work in harmony towards creating better patient experiences together.
To find out more about da Vinci Surgical System, contact us or call (65) 6339 1101 to book an appointment.