Da Vinci robot for colon and rectal surgeries
In some situations, surgeons at the Netherlands Cancer Institute use the Da Vinci robot when operating on tumors in the colon or rectum. The Da Vinci robot helps the surgeon with complex surgical procedures. The robot depicts tumor tissue in great detail, so the tumor tissue can be removed with great precision. As much healthy tissue as possible will be spared, which minimizes the patient's side effects. During surgery, the surgeon will be seated at a console (work station or cockpit) from where they can control the robotic arms. The surgeon can see the surgical region enlarged on the monitor for increased precision. The surgeon's fingers are connected to the robotic arms and surgical instruments by means of a computer. At the end of the robotic arms are wrist joints that can turn. A second surgeon stands at the operating table who can perform additional procedures, clarify physical structures, or hand over surgical instruments if necessary. At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we use the Da Vinci robot at the surgery, urology, gynecology, and head and neck surgery departments. Other than certain colorectal cancer surgeries, the Da Vinci robot is used in surgery for lung cancer and mediastinal tumors, prostate cancer and bladder tumors, tumors in the head and neck area, and gynecologic procedures in the lesser pelvis.