Why is this procedure done?
A robot-assisted surgery uses very small tools attached to a robot. The doctor sits at a computer close to the patient. The doctor guides the movement of the robot. The robot operates through a small cut in the skin. It can do very precise movements. These are more difficult for a doctors hand to do. A robot-assisted surgery can be done if there is no need for open access to the surgical site. It works well with laparoscopic surgery. ‚
Robot-assisted thoracic surgery is when the doctor is operating on the chest or heart. Some of the procedures that may be done include: ‚
- Esophagectomy ¢ ˆ ’ Removing part of or the whole esophagus
- Thymectomy ¢ ˆ ’ Removal of the thymus gland
- Mediastinal tumor resection ¢ ˆ ’ Taking out tumors inside the chest
- Lobectomy ¢ ˆ ’ Taking out a portion of the lungs or the whole lungs
- Sympathectomy ¢ ˆ ’ Destroying a part of the sympathetic nerve
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What will the results be?
With a robot-assisted surgery, doctors will be able to treat the condition. There will often be less injury to the body and a lower risk of infection. This means the patient will have less scarring, faster healing time, and often a shorter hospital stay. Many patients have less blood loss as well with this kind of surgery. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- If there is anything special you need to do to get ready for surgery.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- CT or MRI scan
- Ultrasound
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Pulmonary function tests
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- Your doctor will make 3 to 4 small cuts in the area for surgery.
- A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into other holes to do the procedure.
- All the tools will be joined to one of the robotic arms. This will let the robot grasp, cut, dissect, and sew.
- Your doctor will sit at a computer while viewing the pictures on the screen.
- Your doctor will use a joystick-like hand control and a foot pedal to help guide the tools.
- Some other doctor will stay next to you to move the tools if needed.
- Your doctor will guide the robot to do the surgery.
- After the procedure, the tools will be removed.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes 1 to 4 hours based on the type of procedure.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for a few days. This is based on the kind of surgery you had.
- The staff will help you start to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- The area where the cuts were done may be painful. Your doctor will give drugs for this.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
You may need to rest for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to nearby organs
- The need to switch to traditional procedure
- Collapsed lung
- The need for a breathing machine for a long period of time
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Very bad upset stomach and throwing up
- Feeling tired
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚