Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Apart from cancers, there are many other noncancerous conditions like Crohn’s disease, blockages, which can cause pain and distress. These problems can be life-threatening at times. Colon and rectum are present in the lower part of the stomach and are parts of the large intestine. Though laparoscopic colon surgeries are being performed for decades now, the benefits of the laparoscopic equipment have been limited.
At Apollo, the Colorectal Robotic surgeons offer treatment of complex conditions of the colon and rectum through the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, which can be quite beneficial to the patients. The use of da Vinci robots helps Robotic surgeons with magnified, high Definition 3D images along with the mobility to reach structures which are not easily accessible. Thus, patients experience very small incisions and scarring, fewer complications, reduced pain, and a faster recovery when compared to traditional surgeries.
Laparoscopic Surgery (minimally invasive surgery) has been used to perform colon and rectal surgery for two decades, enabling many patients to have smaller incisions, less post-operative pain and shorter hospital stay. Due to the limitations of laparoscopic technology, a significant number of patients may still require traditional open surgery to manage their condition (mentioned above).
Robotic Surgery was developed to overcome many of the limitations of laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery offers superior visualization of the treatment area and more precise instrumentation compared to laparoscopic surgery. This surgical modality is minimally invasive and is available to a broader spectrum of patients, including those with more complex colon and rectal disorders.
Instead of 20% or 30% of patients receiving minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery with laparoscopy, robotic technology allows our surgeons to provide minimally invasive surgery to more than 60% of patients with similar gastrointestinal conditions. By avoiding more invasive open surgery, patients may benefit from decreased pain, shorter hospital stays (typically 3 to 5 days), quicker recovery at home (usually 1 to 2 weeks), and lower incidence of postoperative complications including wound infection, hernia, and need for blood transfusion. Robotic surgery offers important advantages over laparoscopy, including improved ergonomics and optics for the operating surgeon due to the unique wristed instruments. For rectal cancer specifically, the robot allows for a finer dissection of the rectum out of the tight space where it is located. The advantages of robotic surgery are especially applicable in cases like these, where the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic surgery have not been as well established, perhaps due to the difficulty of laparoscopic pelvic surgery. The improved ergonomics that robotics offer is therefore hugely beneficial in the treatment of colorectal conditions.
- Inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis
- Colon cancer or polyps
- Rectal cancer or polyps
- Diverticulitis
- Endometriosis involving the colon or rectum
- Rectal prolapse
- Fistula involving the colon and rectum
- Benign colon stricture
2. Leaders in Robotic Colon and Rectal Surgery who have trained surgeons, and lectured nationally and internationally
3. Ability to provide comprehensive cancer care with multi-speciality robotic surgery (combined surgery with colleagues from urology, gynaecology, general surgery and surgical oncology who are also experts in robotic surgery)
Our team of highly experienced Colorectal Robotic surgeons provide patient-centric treatment to the whole spectrum of diseases of the small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus
Benign:
- Chronic Constipation
- Rectal Prolapse
- Colonic Diverticular Disease
Malignant
- Small Intestine
- Colon Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Anal Cancer
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Indeterminate Colitis
Any surgical procedure is associated with both pros and cons and is entirely specific to the patient’s condition. Robotic Surgeons at Apollo are trained and highly experienced in the da Vinci system and can help you determine if robotic surgery is right for you.
Consultant Team:
Dr. Varughese Mathai
