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Enhancing the Post-Surgical Period with Robotic Surgery
Regina Barnett
Few patients relish the idea of surgery, which means identifying approaches that enhance patient-centred care is essential. Like laparoscopic techniques, robotic surgery is minimally invasive, yet it retains some of the benefits of open approaches by using 3-D views of the surgical site. Thanks to this technique, patients experiencing certain procedures, such as prostatectomies, experience a smoother post-surgical period. In addition to a reduced risk of blood loss, this includes a faster return to work and reduced scarring.
Speeding up the Post-Operative Recovery Period
Many operations benefit from a reduced recovery period, but this can vary between procedures. For example, a robotic hysterectomy benefits from a recovery period that lasts between six days and two weeks, compared to an open abdominal approach that comes with a six- to eight-week recovery period. In contrast, men who undergo a robotic prostatectomy may experience a quicker discharge from a hospital, but can still take a few weeks to recover.
One study conducted by doctors in the US and Europe found that the mean pain scores for robotic procedures were lower than open procedures. As reduced pain leads to quicker mobility, those who undergo such operations may regain their independence faster than those who don't. In addition, quicker mobilisation may also decrease the risk of emboli forming, making the surgery less risky overall.
Reducing scarring
Whether it's an injury or surgery, anything that disturbs the skin's dermis leads to new collagen fibres forming, which in turn creates a scar. While minimally invasive procedures don't always avoid scarring altogether, they do reduce the site where an insult to the dermis is present, which in turn lessens the presence of scars overall. In addition, a smaller surgical site means a reduced risk of infection. When an infection occurs at the surgical site, the extra bacteria migrating to the site disrupt the wound healing process, making scars more prominent. As such, a reduced risk of infection means less chance of prominent scarring.
A faster return to normal activities
With less pain and a smaller surgical site, patients usually experience a faster discharge and a quicker return to their usual activities. The greatest benefit of this is retaining a sense of normalcy after an operation and being able to maintain independence. For those who feel anxious about their surgery as a result of wondering how much it will impact their day-to-day living following discharge from the hospital, robotic surgery may act as a source of comfort.
While such techniques aren't available for all procedures, the world of medicine is constantly making advances, which means more patients may benefit from it in the future.
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