Robotic Colon Resections for Cancer, Diverticulitis, and Strictures
At Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery, we offer the latest and most advanced surgical techniques to improve the colorectal health of our patients. Chetan J. Patel, MD, FACS, board-certified general surgeon, heads our team of skilled providers and technicians who specialize in advanced gastrointestinal care. The robotic surgical techniques we use offer patients a less invasive treatment alternative that minimizes the risks and improves health outcomes.
Robotic Colorectal Surgery
Dr. Patel and his team combine the most advanced robotic technologies available to provide minimally invasive colorectal procedures.
Colon treatment is a notoriously difficult and delicate procedure–to mitigate the risks involved, our team employs 3D imaging to visualize the inside of the body and pinpoint problem areas. Mapping the body beforehand allows us to create smaller and more targeted incisions to treat colorectal issues at the source. Smaller incisions mean patients recover more quickly and avoid the complications that arise when doctors use the longer incisions common in traditional procedures.
Our minimally invasive techniques minimize blood loss, lower the chance of infection, and speed up healing. For our patients, this means less postoperative pain, greater improvements in bowel function, and shortened recovery times with higher success rates. These procedural tools offer a degree of precision that is especially advantageous for colon resection procedures, where a portion of the small or large intestine is removed and the remaining pieces are carefully stitched together.
The robotic technology consists of delicate surgical instruments mounted on several robotic arms. One robotic arm holds a camera that generates a precise 3-D image of the inside of the body in real-time. The others hold the instruments used during surgery.
To access the affected area of the body, doctors create a small incision that is about a centimeter. Dr. Patel then works from a console unit to control the robotic instruments within the body. From his surgical hub, he follows a detailed view of the inside of the colon, making precise movements with the surgical arms to perform the operation.
As Dr. Patel operates the robotic arms, staff members at the Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery team monitor the patient throughout the procedure. Together, they work hand-in-hand using state-of-the-art technologies to get our patients back to health.
Advantages of Robotic Surgical Care
Minimally invasive surgery offers patients a range of benefits and advantages that traditional surgeries lack:
- Smaller incisions
- Less blood loss
- Faster healing
- Less postoperative pain
- Reduced infection risk
- Faster recovery
These advantages also extend to doctors, who have greater control over the procedure. The benefits for doctors include:
- Non-invasive techniques
- Better 3-D magnification and visualization
- Increased dexterity inside the body
- Greater precision when performing resections
- Improved patient care
Advanced Robotic Surgical Care for Cancer, Diverticulitis, and Strictures
Robotic colorectal surgery offers high success rates for the treatment and removal of several common conditions:
- Cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Strictures
Cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common malignancy suffered by patients in the United States. When it comes to treating this common illness, a robotic colectomy allows surgeons like Dr. Patel to selectively remove cancerous portions of the colon and rectum, along with benign tumors and polyps that could develop into more serious concerns.
If a resection is necessary, doctors employ the same robotic technology to reconnect the severed ends of the colon. The procedure requires only a small number of external incisions rather than one long cut down the middle of the abdomen, which is standard in more traditional methods.
These techniques minimize the pain and trauma experienced by the patient while increasing the chances of a successful recovery and return to normal activities.
Diverticulitis
In many cases, doctors can alleviate diverticulitis symptoms with non-surgical treatments like medications and dietary changes that reduce inflammation and heal the colon. However, when these approaches fail, surgery becomes necessary to remove the infected section of the bowel.
Pursuing colorectal surgery for diverticulitis is even more complex than cancer surgery, oftentimes due to high levels of inflammation in the colon. Robotic surgery mitigates these risks, offering minimally invasive techniques that are both safe and effective.
To treat advanced diverticulitis, doctors remove the diseased area of the colon and reconnect the healthy sections of the bowel tract. Traditional open surgeries require a large incision along the center of the body to reach the infected intestine. By contrast, robotic colorectal surgery can complete this life-changing procedure with a greater degree of precision by creating smaller incisions in the abdomen.
Strictures
Strictures cause an abnormal narrowing of internal body structures and are often caused by scarring or the presence of a tumor. The condition can be quite serious, although cases range in severity between patients. Areas of the body where strictures occur can include:
- Bile duct (between the liver and intestine)
- Esophageal (in the muscular tube between the mouth and stomach)
- Large and small intestine (obstructs waste elimination)
- Urethral (in the tube that carries urine from the bladder)
In many ways, your body is like a superhighway for carrying blood, oxygen, fluids, and molecules. When a stricture–or the constriction–of one of these critical highways occurs, the blockage negatively impacts your health and can even threaten your life. Generally, two types of strictures can occur:
- Fibrotic (caused by scar tissue from surgery or chronic inflammation)
- Inflammatory (caused by swelling)
The most common location within the body where strictures occur is the colon. These strictures are often caused by inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis and can be especially painful. Other known causes of strictures include diverticulosis, hernias, bacterial infections, and tumors.
A colon stricture is a serious health threat—the condition can cut off blood supply to organs, causing the tissue to constrict and die. Peritonitis can also occur in these instances and is a life-threatening infection.
In many cases, the narrowing of the intestine leads to blockages that prevent toxins from leaving the body as waste. The symptoms of a colon stricture include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Severe cramping
Fortunately, doctors can use robotic surgery to repair or remove these conditions and resect the bowel structure. To ensure the best outcomes for their patients, the specialists at Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery take full advantage of the latest robotic technology to treat colon strictures and alleviate symptoms.
Better Care. Better Healing. Better Technology.
At Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery, we know that every patient is different and that surgical outcomes can vary. However, we offer our patients the most advanced robotic colon resection procedures available to treat cancer, diverticulitis, and stricture conditions.
Combined with our experience and attentiveness to patient comfort, these robotic instruments offer a precise surgical alternative to more traditional procedures.
Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery remains the preferred choice for patients struggling with colon health and colorectal conditions. Contact us today to speak with our team members and learn more about our services.