The field of robotic gynecologic surgery has undergone rapid developments. As a result, the use of robotics to rectify gynecologic conditions has undergone exponential growth.
However, one thing must be kept in mind. Surgeons overseeing the robotic gynecologic surgery must be skilled at laparoscopic and abdominal approaches towards a specific procedure prior to taking part in robotic methods. At the institutional level, competency guidelines, surgeon training, and quality metrics should be developed. Solely based on expert opinion and available data, robot-assisted cases are selected.
Just like any other surgical procedure, competency is driven by repetition. Ongoing quality assurance is absolutely necessary to make sure technology is properly used in addition to the even more important factor of the safety of the patient.
Adoption of new surgical techniques should be decided based on factors such as what is best for the patient on the basis of evidence posed by medicine as opposed to pressure from external sources.
Rigorous non-randomized prospective trials or well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to find out which patients stand to benefit from robot-assisted surgery and to find out potential risks if any.
Recommendations for robotic gynecologic surgery
Robot-assisted cases have to be hand-picked on the basis of data present with us and also taking expert opinion into account.
Just like other surgical procedures, competency is driven by repetition. In addition to the hands-on and didactic training required for any new technology, constant monitoring of quality assurance is necessary to ensure the appropriate use of the technology in addition to the safety of the patient.
Rigorous non-randomized prospective trials or well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to find out which patients stand to benefit from robot-assisted surgery and to find out potential risks if any.
Just like other procedures, adequate informed consent should be taken from patients prior to surgery. When it comes to discussing robotic procedures, the discussion generally revolves around indications for surgery. Also the risks and benefits associated with the robotic technique when compared with alternative approaches, therapeutic measures are also discussed.
When counseling patients regarding these procedures, surgeons should describe their experience with robotic-assisted surgery or other new technologies.
Before undertaking robotic methods, surgeons should be skilled at laparoscopic and abdominal approaches for a specific procedure.
Surgeon training, quality metrics, and competency guidelines need to be developed from the institutional level itself.
Certain general criteria have been listed for gynecological robotic surgery practitioners:
All robotic surgery practitioners must have hands-on training when it comes to using the latest technology for gynecologic operations using robots. When possible, this should first be undertaken in a laboratory setting using human cadavers or animal subjects.
In the future, when simulation capabilities further improve, simulation centers will be able to greatly assist in preliminary training.
If you are in the Philippines, you can opt for gynecology robotic surgery from Dr. Jennifer Jose, a gynecologist with years of experience in robotic procedures.
Jenny Gomez is the author of this article. For further detail about robotic gynecologic surgeryΒ please visit the website.
