An approach to surgery whereby operations are performed with specialized instruments designed to be inserted through small incisions or natural body openings.

Robotic surgical technology represents the most significant advancement in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of this decade. The da Vinci Surgical System is the latest robotic technology and enables the surgeon to have a three-dimensional view of the patient. The da Vinci® System has three major components: the vision system, the surgeon console, and the robotic platform.

Surgeon controls the robotic arms:

• 3D HD vision
• Endowrist instrumentation
• Intuitive Motion
• Filtration of tremors
• Firefly technology for Sentinel lymph nodes in endometrial cancer

Finger masters control which convert human movements into electric signals that direct the robotic instruments. In April 2005, da Vinci® was FDA-cleared for gynecologic procedures.

Advantages to the patient:

• Keyhole surgery
• Less pain / Less Trauma
• Less Blood loss
• No delay in adjuvant treatment

Advantages to the surgeon:

• Immersive view through 1-2 cm incision
• Overcome limitations of human wrist
• Reach inaccessible areas with ease
• No risk of transmission of disease