Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery | Surgical Associates

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Laparoscopic and Robotic Colorectal Surgery

By Dr. Tan Wah Siew

Minimally invasive surgery refers to surgery performed using small incisions (cuts). This enables a faster recovery from surgery, by reducing the physical stress on the body. Laparoscopic and robotic approaches are two forms of minimally invasive surgery.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopy uses long thin instruments and tiny cameras to perform surgery through small incisions.

What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery has similar components to laparoscopic surgery, but surgery is performed with the help of a surgical robot. This allows the surgeon to have a magnified 3-dimensional view of the surgical site, providing better views for the surgeon and allowing the surgeon to operate with improved precision and dexterity.

There has been some evidence in recent studies that robotic surgery may be better than laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. The benefits include:

Lower conversion rate to open surgery
Possibility of better margins in cancer resection

What are the benefits of laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery? Are they really better than open surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery has been proven in many studies to be better than open surgery. Its benefits include:

Shorter hospital stay
Better cosmesis from smaller wounds
Less pain
Faster recovery

In the longer term, minimally invasive surgery has also been found to be associated with:

Lower incidence of wound site hernias
Lower incidence of complications related to adhesions such as intestinal obstruction
Evidence of good long-term cancer survival

What types of colorectal conditions can laparoscopic and robotic surgery be used to treat?

The most common reason for laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery is for the removal of colorectal cancer. Although open surgery with large wounds was the standard of care for colorectal cancer treatment for many years, minimally invasive surgery has become standard of care in recent years.

Laparoscopic and robotic approaches can also be used for surgical treatment of the following conditions:

Diverticular Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rectal Prolapse
Colorectal Polyps
Endometriosis involving the colon or rectum

Are there situations when laparoscopic and robotic surgery are not recommended?

Minimally invasive surgery may be challenging in certain patients. These may include patients with:

Previous abdominal surgeries, when there may be adhesions from previous surgeries
Unstable clinical condition with bowel perforation or large amounts of bleeding
Very poor lung or heart function

However, these are not absolute contraindications to minimally invasive surgery. Your surgeon will be able to assess your condition and advise you if it is safe to proceed with laparoscopic or robotic surgery.

For more information, please consult a colorectal surgeon.

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
#08-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
Tel: 6454 0054 | Fax: 6764 0054 | Email: ask@surgicalassociates.sg

Gleneagles Medical Centre
#05-01, 6 Napier Road, Singapore 258499
Tel: 6471 0054 | Fax: 6271 0054

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