MakatiMed’s da Vinci Xi system enables precise surgeries and faster recovery
Robots sure are fascinating. But robots in the operating room (OR)? Even the most enthusiastic science fiction geeks might feel apprehensive at the thought of seeing the likes of Voltes V, Optimus Prime, and Ultron, or even WALL-E and Baymax, anywhere near an actual OR where lives are at stake.
But here’s the thing: Using medical robots is becoming the new standard in surgery in real life and hospitals worldwide, now also including Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) following our recent acquisition of the latest da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Thanks to evolving technology, the landscape of surgery has changed with robots now on the frontlines of various operations, ranging from hysterectomies even down to thyroid removals.
For Jennifer Marie M. Jose, MD, a Robotic Gynecology Surgeon at MakatiMed and a renowned trailblazer in robotic surgeries in the Philippines, the da Vinci Xi Surgical System is a game-changer for both patients and doctors. “The da Vinci X reduces recovery time and minimizes the risks of post-operation complications because they allow us to perform surgeries with better precision,” Dr. Jose explains.
Dr. Jose is known for her pioneering and extensive experience with robotic surgical systems. Notably, she was the first doctor in Asia to perform a robotic sacrocolpopexy; the first to perform 100 robotic surgeries in the Philippines, which earned her a Trailblazer Award from the Da Vinci Surgical System way back in 2016; and the first Filipino doctor to be listed on the Surgeons Locator List of Intuitive Surgical Inc., the maker of the Da Vinci Surgical System.
Despite the familiarity surgeons like Dr. Jose have with the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, there are still people who feel uneasy about the prospect of a robot being anywhere near the OR, especially considering what they’ve seen in sci-fi movies. For Dr. Jose, however, these fears are nothing but the result of unfounded myths and misconceptions—which she’s more than happy to debunk.
Myth #1: Robots will control the surgery
People have the false impression that it’s robots who do all the work, replacing doctors and surgeons altogether. Dr. Jose points out nothing could be further from the truth. “During surgery, robots are docked to the patient and surgeons are the ones who control the robot’s movement,” she clarifies. “The robots are ultimately just tools that assist us in our jobs. The surgeons are the ones who perform the surgery.”
The da Vinci Xi Surgical System makes small cuts to examine the inside of a body. It has advanced features such as cameras with magnified 3D views of the surgical area, motion scaling and tremor filtration software, and endo-wristed instruments translating the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, precise actions inside the patient’s body.
“These instruments function like an extension of the surgeon’s wrists, allowing them to rotate and move with great precision. Essentially, they can perform all the intricate movements that fingers can, but are controlled entirely by the surgeon,” adds Dr. Jose. “It’s still me as a surgeon who is in control. It’s just my surgical armamentarium (a physician’s set of tools and equipment) to make everything easy and feasible.”
First-ever robot-assisted surgery at MakatiMed led by MakatiMed Urologist Jaime S.D. Songco (May 6, 2024)
Myth #2: Robot-assisted surgery has limited use
Contrary to this, MakatiMed’s new surgical offering can be used in several applications. Dr. Jose shares that da Vinci Xi Surgical System enhances precision and improves visualization control, making it ideal for complex procedures involving delicate and confined anatomical structures.
“Robotic surgeries are very good for surgeries in the pelvis. That’s why the majority of the surgeons who use the robot include urologists for prostate surgery and gynecologists to do hysterectomies, fibroid removals, and sacrocolpopexy or a surgery that treats pelvic organ prolapse,” she mentions.
At MakatiMed, it is also used for a range of procedures that involve the colon, liver, and any part of the abdomen as well as the lungs and the head and neck areas.
First robot-assisted gynecologic case (Myomectomy) at MakatiMed under Jennifer Marie M. Jose, MD (May 12, 2024)
Myth #3: Robots won’t completely solve the issue
Skeptical patients may feel as if robot-assisted surgeries put them at greater risk of a relapse. Dr. Jose points out that since da Vinci Xi Surgical System allows accurate micro-movements and magnification, it even enhances the surgeon’s ability to detect and control bleeding from small vessels, reducing blood loss and infection that are typical in open surgeries.
“Because of its advantages in terms of precision and visibility, you get better results and you become confident in your surgeries as well,” she underlines. “The chances of complications are very minimal when doing robot-assisted surgeries. You are not compromising the condition of the patient. You are actually giving the best option because the small incisions even allow the patient to recover faster.”
With recovery times that are as quick as two (2) to (3) days versus six (6) to eight (8) weeks in traditional open surgeries, patients can return to work faster and keep up with activities they enjoy. Dr. Jose mentions that she was even able to discharge young patients on the same day. Elderly patients can also benefit from faster recovery times as many of them forego surgeries altogether for fear of not being able to physically handle the long recovery process.
While robotic surgery may seem like something from the future, Dr. Jose emphasizes that it’s far less intimidating and more accessible than people think. She reassures that these robots are not taking over surgeries; instead, they serve as advanced tools that enable skilled surgeons to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
“This is something we can offer to the patient as an option, giving them the freedom to choose the best procedure for them based on how they’d like to be able to recover,” Dr. Jose says.
Article based on the UNTV: Serbisyong Bayanihan guesting of Jennifer Marie M. Jose, MD last April 22, 2024.
For individuals needing surgery, consult with your MakatiMed physician if you are eligible for robot-assisted surgery. Got questions/concerns? Reach us via MakatiMed On-Call at (+632) 8888 8999 or at [email protected]. Follow our social media pages for more health-related content and for the latest updates: https://www.makatimed.net.ph/social-media-pages/
