Robots to aid surgeons at National Hospital

25 February 2014 06:48 am Views - 4067

Preparations to provide robotic assistance to surgeons, mainly in the area of prostate surgery had begun at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, hospital sources said.

The robotic machines will be used as a natural extension of key hole surgery which is already being practised at the National Hospital.

Senior Urological Surgeon and Consultant Dr. Neville Perera said it was a necessity to keep up with current medical needs in the context of modern times.

“This practice is there all over the world and has been adopted in India as well. Use of robotics in surgery can be essential in certain aspects, particularly where they help exclude human faults such as fatigue, tremors and can help by increasing dexterity,” Dr. Perera said.

The estimated cost of the robot is between 200- 230 million rupees.

Dr. Perera said that though this might have been considered to be an absurd figure in the past, it was reasonable in view of the cost of any other modern medical equipment.

“Any other modern equipment will cost a similar amount and in comparison to the benefits this confers it is reasonable. It will mainly be used by urologists, but will be available to general surgeons and gynecologists as well.

“It is mainly for prostate surgery because the prostate gland is hidden and it is difficult to perform open surgery, so the advantages such as magnification and 3D view that the robot provides will be immensely beneficial,” he said.

The robotic arms are controlled by the doctors and do not function autonomously. It is said to be most useful in minimising faults that could occur as a result of doctors being in the operating theatre for long hours. (Jehan Gunasekara)