Robotic-assisted Colectomy In Singapore

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min
Consultant General Surgeon
Dr Tan Yu-Meng
Director, Consultant General Surgeon

What Is a Robotic-assisted Colectomy?

Surgical removal of all or part of the colon, a robotic-assisted colectomy it employs robotic technology to enhance the precision, control, and dexterity of the surgeon. The procedure involves tiny incisions, and the surgeon uses a computer console to control the robotic arms, which carry out the surgery.

Reasons For Doing Robotic-assisted Colectomy

Robotic-assisted colectomy is used to address certain colon conditions. It offers surgeons greater precision, flexibility, and control.

  • Colon Cancer: The most common reason for this surgery. The robot’s precision can be particularly useful when removing tumours.
  • Diverticular Disease: Chronic or severe cases of diverticulosis or diverticulitis that haven’t responded to other treatments may be addressed with this surgery.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis that are not well-controlled with medications might require surgery.
  • Bowel Obstruction: Performed to remove a section of the colon that’s blocked.
  • Preventive Measures: To prevent colon cancer in individuals with a high risk, like those with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Am I Eligible For Robotic-Assisted Colectomy?

Eligibility depends on several factors:

Patients should be able to withstand a major surgical procedure. Those with serious heart or lung conditions may not be good candidates.

The nature and stage of your disease will influence whether robotic surgery is the best choice. For example, in advanced cancer cases, a traditional open surgery might be required.

Prior abdominal surgery may cause scar tissue that could complicate a robotic-assisted colectomy.

Robotic-Assisted Colectomy Procedure

The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen to allow the robotic arms, equipped with surgical instruments, and a camera to be inserted. The surgeon then controls the robotic arms from a console, manipulating them to remove the affected part of the colon and reconnect the remaining sections.

Aftercare & Recovery

Postoperative recovery varies depending on the individual’s overall health and the specific procedure performed. Generally, patients can expect to spend several days in the hospital following surgery. Experience some pain and discomfort is normal, and usually manageable with medications. A return to normal activities usually occurs within a few weeks. Here are some post-procedure aftercare tips:

  • Follow dietary guidelines provided by the healthcare team
  • Take prescribed medications as directed
  • Follow up on scheduled appointments with the doctor
  • Gradually reintroduce physical activities as recommended
  • Report any unexpected symptoms to the healthcare provider immediately

Cost Of Robotic-assisted Colectomy

The cost of a robotic-assisted colectomy can vary widely, depending on various factors such as the complexity of the procedure, and insurance coverage.

Risks & Complications

As with any procedure, there is some exposure to risks and complications:

  • Potential for infection
  • Risks associated with anaesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Damage to nearby organs
  • Possible need for additional surgery

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min

Consultant General Surgeon

Dr Jonathan Foo has expertise in managing various General Surgical and Colorectal conditions. He excels at advanced endoscopic, open and minimally invasive (“key-hole”) techniques, as well as robotic surgery.

Dr Foo is a specialist Colorectal surgeon with comprehensive training in other minimally invasive(laparoscopic) General Surgical conditions such as hernia repair and gallbladder surgery.

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, NUS) 2002
  • MRCSEd (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) 2007
  • MMed (Master of Medicine in Surgery) 2008
  • Further Advanced Training At the Minimally Invasive Colorectal Unit in Portsmouth, UK

Dr Foo firmly believes that every surgical procedures must be customized to the individual in order to achieve an optimal outcome for his patients.

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Dr Tan Yu-Meng

Director, Consultant General Surgeon

Dr Tan continues to be one of few surgeons in Asia who perform specialized surgery for peritoneal malignancies in Asia.

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, First Class Honors & Distinction at the University of London) 1994
  • RCSEd (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh) 1999
  • Further training in advanced HPB surgery and liver transplantation at the world renowned Liver Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
  • Further training in living donor liver transplantation in Japan.

With his interest in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic (GI-HPB) surgery and the treatment of cancer, Dr Tan joined the department of surgical oncology at the National Cancer Centre in 2003 as a consultant.

Dr Tan’s interest in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies was part of his effort in leading a multidisciplinary team from NCC to Washington Cancer Institute to adopt the techniques and protocols of peritonectomy and HIPEC (Sugarbaker procedure) from Dr Paul Sugarbaker in 2009.

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    Robotic-assisted Colectomy In Singapore

    Frequently Asked
    Questions

    Is robotic-assisted colectomy safe?

    Yes. While the procedure is considered safe, it still carries some risks like all surgical procedures.

    How long does the procedure take?

    The length of the procedure can vary, but it typically takes a few hours.

    How long will I need to stay in the hospital after surgery?

    This varies depending on the individual and the specifics of the surgery, but it’s common for patients to stay in the hospital for several days post-procedure.