Surgeon-Powered Robotics in Thoracic Surgery; An Era of Surgical Innovation and Its Benefits for the Patient and Beyond

Jason Trevis, Nicholas Chilvers, Kathrin Freystaetter, Joel Dunning, Jason Trevis, Nicholas Chilvers, Kathrin Freystaetter, Joel Dunning

Abstract

Following its introduction in 1992, the growth of minimally invasive thoracic surgery was initially hampered by the lack of specialized instruments, impeded visualization and stapling. However, in subsequent years these challenges were somewhat overcome and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) became the preferred modality of many centers. More recently, robotic surgery has come to the fore. Whilst it offers outstanding precision via robotic wristed instruments, robotic surgery is expensive and has safety implications as the surgeon is away from the patient's side. Wristed VATS instruments offer a new, exciting alternative. By placing the robotic-like wristed instruments in the hands of the surgeon, a concept we call surgeon-powered robotics, the benefits of robotic surgery can be achieved by the patient's side. We describe our experience of the ArtiSential® wristed instruments and discuss the benefits and challenges of this technology. By combining wristed instruments with the latest surgeon-controlled 3D camera technology, surgeon-powered robotics is an affordable reality.

Keywords: VATS; robotic; surgeon-powered robotics; thoracic; wristed instruments.

Conflict of interest statement

JD received consulting fees for ArtiSential® in the development of these instruments for thoracic surgery and was provided these instruments free of charge as part of an IRAS approved cohort study. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2020 Trevis, Chilvers, Freystaetter and Dunning.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) ArtiSential® bipolar fenestrated forceps. (B) Intraoperative use of ArtiSential® instruments.

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Source: PubMed

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