Both are minimally invasive procedures using small incisions, a camera and surgical instruments. During a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon stands by the operating table and operates on the patient. However, in robot-assisted surgery, the surgeon sits on a console that translates the surgeon's hand movements in real-time, bending and rotating the instruments at the patient cart positioned over the patient bed. The tiny wristed instruments, of a robotic system move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion than traditional laparoscopic instruments. Also, the robotic instruments because of its dexterity, can reach previously inaccessible areas of the body which is not possible with laparoscopic instruments.
The below table clearly outlines how surgical outcomes of colon resection surgeries have improved with the Robotic system by a surgeon practising in the United States.
Parameters |
Robotic
Surgery |
Laparoscopic
surgery |
Open surgery |
Length of stay |
3-4 days |
4-5 days |
8-9 days |
Complications |
1% patients |
2.6% patients |
4.8% patients |
Blood loss |
~75 ml |
~102 ml |
~202 ml |
Transfusion |
4.5% patients |
5.4% patients |
13.8 % patients |
Readmission |
5.9% of patients |
11.4% of patients |
13.3% of patients |
Reference: Better outcomes with Dr Jeff Hurley. Board Certified, American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery. [Data on File].