Robotic Colon Surgery

Several different disease processes can affect the colon. Many of these may require surgery. Hearing you need colon surgery is difficult, and you find yourself overwhelmed with information. Learn about your option for robotic-assisted surgery at ATX Robotic Surgery . Like any surgical procedure, Robotic Assisted Colon Surgery comes with its own set of questions. We hope you will find the information below useful.

What is the Colon?

This colon is a vital part of the gastrointestinal tract. The large intestine is a large tubular organ. Your colon works around the clock to remove waste products from the body and reabsorb water. The water is removed from the waste and reabsorbed into the body. This is Why our stools are solid. As part of the digestive system, the colon works in conjunction with the stomach and small intestine to keep the fluid and electrolyte balance. Although it is an impressive organ, it is possible to have a full life without the colon. People have parts of their colon removed every day.

What is a robotic-assisted colon resection?

Resection is a surgery that removes part of the colon. The Basic steps of colorectal surgery are:

1. Remove - first, the surgeon needs to cut and remove (resect) the diseased part of the colon.

2. Take out - the piece of the unhealthy colon is taken out from your body through one of the small incisions.

3. Reconnect - your surgeon will put the two ends of the colon back together to reconnect the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Close - Stitch or staple the two ends of the bowel back together.

Why get a colon resection?

Patients can undergo robotic colorectal surgery for many conditions, such as polyps, cancer, diverticulitis, colonic inertia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or obstructions and twisting of the colon.

Your physician may recommend a colon resection depending on the type of problem you are having and how severe it may be. Robotic colorectal resection is also a treatment option for Colon Cancer and Diverticular Disease.

Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Americans. If you have been diagnosed with Colon Cancer, talk with Oncologist about Robotic surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery for colon cancer allows us to safely remove the cancer and all lymph nodes using a minimally invasive approach. It allows for faster recovery, and further treatment or therapies can be initiated much faster.

What is Diverticular Disease?

Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection of (small pouches) diverticula that develop along the walls of the intestine. The causes of diverticulitis are both diet and genetics. Diverticula develop in weak places in the colon, and give way under pressure causing the pouches to protrude through the wall of the colon. Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula (small pouches) tear and become inflamed and or infected.

If you have been diagnosed with diverticulitis by your physician, robot-assisted surgery is an option for you. All types of colonic surgery for diverticular disease can be done with the robot.

Is colon resection major surgery?

Yes, colon surgery is major surgery because it involves removing part of the large intestine from the body and putting the two pieces of the intestine back together.

However, each year, more than 600,000 colon resections are performed in the United States to treat any one of the various diseases of the colon. The difference now is that with the advancement in medicine and technology, you now have the option of robotic-assisted colorectal surgery. This type of surgery decreases the risk of infection and recovery time.

Colorectal Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery utilizes the DaVinci Robot to make small incisions with minimal trauma to surrounding tissue giving your ATX Robotic surgeon better dexterity and vision. Dr. Burman sits at a computer system that translates his surgical movements into the movements of the robot arms. Dr. Burman is able to control everything himself, leading to a more precise and efficient surgery. Small incisions that could be 1cm in length take the place of large traditional incisions that are several inches long. It allows for less pain, the return of bowel function faster, and shorter stay in the hospital. Robotic colon surgery can decrease hospital stay to 2 days from the typical 5-7 days using conventional approaches.

Also, the Robotic system has a fantastic feature called the “firefly.” The “firefly” is a dye that is given and allows us to measure the blood flow to the tissues and organs. A common occurrence with colorectal surgery is a leak where the two sections of the bowel are re-joined. So if there is something that shows poor blood flow Dr. Burman can make adjustments and help prevent a leak in the vein of colorectal surgery.

The decision to have surgery is a personal one. Take the time to contact ATX Robotic Surgeons to learn more about the most advanced surgical procedures, Robotic-Assisted Surgery.