What if you could have a major surgery with only a short
hospital stay, very little pain, low risk of infection, little
blood loss, minimal scarring, and a fast recovery and return to
normal daily activities? Such a scenario is becoming
increasingly possible thanks to the developing field of medical
robotics and the increasing use of robots in surgical
procedures. By using robots, surgeons can perform complex
operations more easily and precisely, and in a less invasive way
that improves results for patients. "Robotics is an extension of
laparoscopic surgery," said Dr. Surena Matin, an associate
professor in the department of urology at the University of
Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Matin also is medical
director of MINTOS - the Minimally Invasive New Technology in
Oncologic Surgery Collaborative Group at M.D. Anderson. "The
improvement over laparoscopic techniques comes in terms of
improving the surgeon's visibility and dexterity. Surgeons don't
have to remove their eyes from the scene of surgery, and t