Science applied to medicine is advancing, and with it, the possibilities of providing better procedures and tools to treat different diseases. In this context, a new trend has emerged in Argentina: robotic technology for operations, which debuted this Saturday with a prostate cancer surgery.
Da Vinci Xi is a robot. The latest generation of robotic technology allows for greater precision and safety in surgery, optimizing patient recovery times following surgery. Over the years, the versions have evolved, and currently, Sanatorio Finochietto is one of the pioneers in acquiring the latest model of this robotic technology.
To understand, this method is the evolution of the laparoscopy technique. In the United States, there are regarding 5,000 robots operating at this time, with an exponential growth in surgeries. Brazil and Chile have advanced in this area, and now, this technology is being implemented in Argentina.
Surgical robot, latest model, Da Vinci Xi. Photo: Juan Mateo Aberastain Zubimendi / MDZ.
Surgeries that can be performed with the Da Vinci Xi robot include those of the esophagus, prostate, kidney, gynecology, colon, thorax, among others.
Radical prostatectomy
Prostate cancer is the most common type of malignant tumor in men, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Argentina, according to data published by the National Institute of Cancer, 11,686 new cases are diagnosed each year. It represents 18.7% of all oncological pathologies in men in the country, being the highest incidence in this group with a rate of 42 cases per 100,000 men.
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It is also the third deadliest cancer, only surpassed by lung cancer (18.1%) and colorectal cancer (13.2%), with more than 3,500 Argentines dying each year, a figure that translates to 12%.
One of the latest innovations to treat this type of cancer is radical prostatectomy, a surgery to remove the entire prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes to treat a localized tumor.
“As coordinator of the Urology Service, we are incorporating many new technologies that include the holmium laser, flexible cystoscopy that allows us to work in a way that we did not do before. The sanatorium has now incorporated what is the Da Vinci Xi, which is a pioneer in robotic technology. And well, we try to accompany this new arrival and give the patients who come to us at the sanatorium the greatest possible technology in Latin America,” said Dr. Christian Cobreros (Registration number 95,858), also president of the Latin American Pelvic Floor Association.
There are different techniques and approaches to perform a radical prostatectomy, but surgery assisted by robot has become the technique of choice for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer in the United States and many European countries, accounting for 90% of cases.
Robotic surgeries are a growing trend in Argentina. Photo: Juan Mateo Aberastain Zubimendi / MDZ.
It is indicated to advance with this technique in patients affected by infiltrating carcinoma of the prostate localized (without evidence of metastasis) and who wish to preserve their urinary continence and erectile function as much as possible.
In this regard, the coordinator of the Urology Service of the Finochietto Sanatorium, detailed in dialogue with MDZ: “These are surgeries that allow for greater precision, and therefore the level of complexity with which we can resolve large cases or very complex cases really results in a better quality of life later on, both in the surgery as in recovery.”
The system Da Vinci Xi is the most sophisticated robot that exists today, which allows interventions to be carried out with greater precision and safety.
How does this technology work?
The surgeon operates on the patient from a console, with the support of the assistant surgeon and an instrument technician, from which he has complete control of the Da Vinci Xi robot, with an immersive 3D vision, and access to the 4 robotic arms that replicate the specialist’s movements.
For his part, Fernando Mías, in charge of laparoscopic and robotic surgery in Urology, (Registration 97,388) highlighted that “the advantage is that the robot gives the possibility of having 360 degree mobility with the instruments and that makes it much easier when performing the surgery. It is a breakthrough of the laparoscopic surgery for the benefit of the doctor and, fundamentally, the patient.”
It is important to clarify that, for the success of the robotic operation, the performance of the surgeon and the robot is as important as the comprehensive service provided to the patient before, during and following the procedure, involving surgeons, instrument technicians, anesthesiologists, nurses and assistants, among others.
“It is still a surgical act in which the surgeon intervenes and (the patient) is operated on and intervened by. The method simply changes. It goes from a conventional surgery to robotic, but the surgeon is still essential. Obviously, he has to be trained for that,” concluded Cobreros.
Robotic Surgery Makes its Debut in Argentina: A New Era of Precision in Prostate Cancer Treatment
The world of medicine is constantly evolving, driven by scientific advancements that bring forth new procedures and tools for treating diseases. Argentina is embracing this evolution, marking a pivotal moment with the introduction of robotic technology for surgical operations. This Saturday saw the debut of this groundbreaking technology with a successful prostate cancer surgery, ushering in a new era of precision and minimally invasive techniques.
The Da Vinci Xi robot, a pinnacle of robotic technology, holds the promise of greater accuracy and safety in surgical interventions. This latest generation of robotic systems optimizes patient recovery times, showcasing significant progress from previous iterations. Sanatorio Finochietto, at the forefront of medical innovation, is one of the pioneering institutions in Argentina to adopt this advanced technology.
To understand the significance of this advancement, consider it as the evolutionary step of laparoscopic surgery. In the United States, robotic surgical procedures are already a common practice, with approximately 5,000 robots actively performing surgeries, showcasing exponential growth in the field. Brazil and Chile have also taken strides in this domain, and now Argentina joins the ranks with the introduction of this cutting-edge technology.
Surgical robot, latest model, Da Vinci Xi. Photo: Juan Mateo Aberastain Zubimendi / MDZ.
The Da Vinci Xi robot has the capacity to perform a wide range of surgeries, encompassing areas like the esophagus, prostate, kidney, gynecology, colon, and thorax, among others.
Radical Prostatectomy: A New Frontier in Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the most prevalent type of malignant tumor found in men. In Argentina, data from the National Institute of Cancer reveals an annual diagnosis of 11,686 new cases, accounting for 18.7% of all oncological pathologies in men, making it the highest incidence in this demographic. This translates to a rate of 42 cases per 100,000 men.
Furthermore, prostate cancer holds the position of being the third most lethal cancer, surpassed only by lung cancer (18.1%) and colorectal cancer (13.2%). Regrettably, over 3,500 Argentines succumb to this disease annually, representing a concerning 12% mortality rate.
Radical prostatectomy, a surgical procedure designed to remove the entire prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes, emerges as one of the most innovative approaches to combatting localized prostate tumors. This procedure aims to provide a comprehensive solution for localized prostate cancer.
Dr. Christian Cobreros, with Registration number 95,858, the president of the Latin American Pelvic Floor Association and coordinator of the Urology Service, shares his perspective on the significance of this new technology: “As coordinator of the Urology Service, we are incorporating numerous groundbreaking technologies, including the holmium laser, flexible cystoscopy, which allows us to work in unprecedented ways. Now, the sanatorium has embraced the Da Vinci Xi, a pioneer in robotic technology. We strive to accompany this new arrival and offer the highest level of technology to our patients at the sanatorium in all of Latin America.”
Several techniques and approaches exist for performing a radical prostatectomy, but robotic-assisted surgery has emerged as the preferred method for treating prostate cancer in the United States and many European nations, accounting for a remarkable 90% of cases.
Robotic surgeries are a growing trend in Argentina. Photo: Juan Mateo Aberastain Zubimendi / MDZ.
The use of this advanced technique is particularly beneficial for patients diagnosed with infiltrating carcinoma of the prostate that is localized (without signs of metastasis), and who aspire to preserve their urinary continence and erectile function to the greatest extent possible.
Elaborating on the benefits of this procedure, the coordinator of the Urology Service at the Finochietto Sanatorium, in a conversation with MDZ, provides insights: “These surgeries grant us greater precision, allowing us to tackle complex cases with remarkable proficiency, ultimately resulting in a superior quality of life for patients following surgery and during recovery.”
The Da Vinci Xi system represents the most sophisticated robotic system available today, enabling interventions with enhanced precision and safety. The system’s advanced capabilities significantly contribute to a more positive outcome for patients.
Unveiling the Inner Workings: How Does This Technology Function?
This innovative technology operates through a collaborative effort between the surgeon, assistant surgeon, and instrument technician. The surgeon controls the Da Vinci Xi robot from a console, enjoying a fully immersive 3D view of the procedure and the ability to maneuver the four robotic arms, mirroring their movements with precision.
Fernando Mías, in charge of laparoscopic and robotic surgery in Urology, with Registration number 97,388, highlights the advantages of this revolutionary technology: “The robot’s key benefit lies in its 360-degree mobility with the instruments, which simplifies the surgical process considerably. It represents a leap forward from laparoscopic surgery, benefiting both the doctor and, most importantly, the patient.”
It’s crucial to emphasize that the success of robotic surgery hinges not only on the surgeon’s expertise and the robot’s capabilities but also on the comprehensive service provided to the patient before, during, and following the procedure. This encompasses the collaborative efforts of surgeons, instrument technicians, anesthesiologists, nurses, assistants, and others involved in the patient’s care.
Cobreros emphasizes the pivotal role of the surgeon: “This remains a surgical act where the surgeon is actively involved; the patient is operated on and intervened by a surgeon. The method is merely changing from conventional surgery to robotic surgery, but the surgeon’s role remains indispensable. Naturally, they must be adequately trained for this procedure.”
