Exploring the Popularity of Robotic-Assisted Procedures

History was made on March 3, 1997, when a Belgian bariatric surgeon named Dr. Jaques Himpens performed the world’s first robotic-assisted surgery on a living patient. The procedure, a cholecystectomy to remove a 72-year-old patient’s gallbladder, was completed with the help of a robot by Intuitive Surgical named Mona—a precursor to today’s popular da Vinci Surgical System. It’s been nearly 25 years since Dr. Himpens’ inaugural surgery, and technology around robotic-assisted surgery and image-guided interventions has advanced by leaps and bounds. But one constant throughout the evolution of this practice has been its usefulness in urologic cases. 

In an opinion piece on the history of robotic-assisted surgery for General Surgery News, Dr. Edward L. Felix recounts, “The first procedures to gain serious credibility in the United States were performed by urologists.” It was in the early 2000s that an influx of urologists began transitioning from open radical prostatectomy procedures to a robotic approach, and most within the industry have never looked back. In fact, as of 2013, more than 85% of radical prostatectomies are performed using a robotic platform.

In an homage to trailblazers like Dr. Himpens and historians like Dr. Felix, we wanted to dig deeper into the topic, further exploring how robotic-assisted procedures are used and the benefits provided by these advanced methods.

Robotic-assisted use cases in action today

As mentioned, the overwhelming majority of prostatectomies performed are done so using robotics, but other urologic procedures remain a viable option for robotic intervention. On its website, Intuitive, creators of the da Vinci, cite a list of robotic-assisted urologic procedures its technology can accommodate, including partial and total nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, cyst removal, cystectomy and ureteral implantation.

But as HealthGrades reports, robotic-assisted procedures can also be safely and effectively performed on many other parts of the body outside the urinary tract and male reproductive systems. Some of the different areas in which robotic technology has revolutionized what surgeons can do for patients include the female reproductive area, head and neck, colon, heart, and joints. 

Another form of intervention that merits discussion is the image-guided procedure, in which the surgeon is directed by images obtained through magnetic resonance, ultrasound and other techniques. Virtual image overlays of prior imaging provide the physician with better visibility, enabling more precise and targeted actions that can lead to better margins, and therefore outcomes.

Benefits of robotic-assisted procedures

The benefits of robotic-assisted procedures are abundantly clear when compared with traditional open surgery. Because robotic-assisted procedures require smaller incisions that spare the nerves, patients can experience reduced chances of blood loss, infection, scarring and pain. In addition, these procedures may be done in an outpatient setting and are typically associated with quicker recovery times. When guided by imaging, physicians performing interventions like targeted biopsies and treatment can feel more confident in their approach thanks to better visualizations of the anatomy, enhanced precision and repeatability.

The future of robotic-assisted procedures

Some estimates peg the robotic surgery market to surpass $22 billion in value by 2028 with the proliferation into new and emerging focal areas. What’s truly coming down the pike for robotic-assisted procedures remains to be seen, but experts like Dr. Felix believe techniques will continue rapidly progressing. “I honestly think we’re still in the infancy of robotics even though it has already been 20 years of growth,” he told General Surgery News. “What the robots will be able to do in the future is far advanced.” 

As a company made up of medical technology enthusiasts, the team at Promaxo has enjoyed watching robotic-assisted surgery grow in popularity. And with Promaxo offering technology that enables more precise identification and treatment of prostate cancer through image-guided procedures, we’re proud to be among the innovators advancing the state of health care today. To learn more about how we’re doing it and why we think of our MRI system as “technology that cares,” visit Promaxo.com.