The da Vinci Surgical System, approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), has been used successfully in tens of thousands of minimally invasive procedures worldwide. It offers many safety features, including:
- It cannot be programmed or make decisions on its own. The surgeon controls every surgical maneuver.
- Just as with traditional surgery, patients are under the care of the surgeon and an entire surgical team.
- The da Vinci translates the surgeon’s wrist or finger movements into precise movements of the instruments. This reduces unintended movements, which means the da Vinci instruments can move in a more precise manner than the human hand.
- Because the da Vinci patient cart does the work of holding the instruments and camera, and because the surgeon is seated comfortably during the operation, surgeons experience less fatigue.
- During the course of an operation, the da Vinci performs millions of safety self-checks. In the event of a power interruption or safety check failure, the system is designed to shut down safely, allowing the surgeon to remain in control of the procedure.
Although robotic-assisted surgery is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every patient. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition, as well as their risks and benefits.