Definition: robotic surgery

Using robotic instruments to perform surgery. The surgeon views the patient's organs via a terminal and manipulates robotic arms that hold surgical instruments. The views are transmitted from tiny cameras inserted into the body.

Laparoscopic vs. Robotic
Small incisions are made in both laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The difference is that the robotic mechanism does the actual surgery guided by the surgeon. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon manipulates the instruments directly.

Both methods are considerably less invasive than normal operating room procedures because the instruments can be inserted into much smaller incisions in the body. It means less pain and scarring, and patients recover much faster.

Telesurgery
Because the patient and surgeon are separated by an electronic console, robotic surgery enables "telesurgery," which allows the surgeon to perform the operation from a remote location. See telesurgery.

A Robotic Surgery

A University of Mississippi Medical Center physician is performing a robotic surgery. (Image courtesy and copyright of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.)