Our Summary

This research paper talks about a study testing out a new robot, called the Senhance robotic system, which was used in 20 surgeries to remove gallbladders (cholecystectomies). The patients involved in the study were aged between 23 and 78 years, and all the surgeries were performed from May 2017 to August 2017. The researchers looked at many factors before, during and after the surgery, such as the patients’ age, weight, the length of time it took to set up the robot (docking time) and the total time of the surgery. They found that as they performed more surgeries, the docking time and total surgical time decreased significantly. The robot was also used without any major complications during or after the surgeries. The research team believes that this robot could be a feasible tool for performing minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgeries in the future.

FAQs

  1. What is the Senhance robotic system and what is its purpose in surgeries?
  2. According to the study, how did the docking time and total surgical time change as more surgeries were performed with the Senhance robotic system?
  3. Did the use of the Senhance robotic system in gallbladder removal surgeries result in any major complications?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about cholecystectomy is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including avoiding heavy lifting and sticking to a low-fat diet to aid in recovery and prevent complications.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for cholecystectomy include those with symptomatic gallstones, acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, and gallbladder polyps. Additionally, patients who have had previous episodes of gallstone-related complications or have a high risk of developing complications may also be recommended for cholecystectomy.

Timeline

Before the cholecystectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of gallbladder issues, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound or CT scan, to confirm the presence of gallstones.
  3. Patient consults with a surgeon to discuss the need for cholecystectomy and the potential risks and benefits of the surgery.

During the cholecystectomy:

  1. Patient is prepped for surgery and given anesthesia.
  2. Surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope to view the gallbladder.
  3. Surgeon uses the Senhance robotic system to assist in removing the gallbladder.
  4. Gallbladder is removed and incisions are closed.

After the cholecystectomy:

  1. Patient is monitored in the recovery room for a few hours.
  2. Patient may experience some pain and discomfort at the incision sites.
  3. Patient is discharged from the hospital within a day or two after surgery.
  4. Patient is advised to follow post-operative care instructions, such as taking pain medications and avoiding heavy lifting.
  5. Patient follows up with the surgeon for a post-operative appointment to ensure proper healing and recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a cholecystectomy procedure?
  2. How long is the recovery time after a cholecystectomy?
  3. Will I need any special dietary restrictions after the surgery?
  4. What are the alternative treatment options to cholecystectomy?
  5. How experienced is the surgical team with using the Senhance robotic system for cholecystectomy?
  6. What are the potential benefits of using the Senhance robotic system for my surgery?
  7. How will the use of the robot affect the cost of the procedure?
  8. Will I need to stay in the hospital overnight after the surgery?
  9. How soon after the surgery can I resume normal activities?
  10. Are there any specific follow-up appointments or care instructions I should be aware of after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Melling N, Barr J, Schmitz R, Polonski A, Miro J, Ghadban T, Wodack K, Izbicki J, Zani S, Perez D. Journal: J Robot Surg. 2019 Jun;13(3):495-500. doi: 10.1007/s11701-018-0877-3. Epub 2018 Sep 27. PMID: 30264180