da Vinci Surgery
 

Open Surgery

When medication, lifestyle changes and other non-surgical treatments cannot relieve symptoms, colon surgery is the accepted treatment for a broad range of colorectal conditions.

While surgery is generally the most effective treatment for many conditions, traditional open surgery is highly invasive; it requires a large incision and may also require a long hospital stay followed by a lengthy recovery.1,2

During colon surgery, all or part of the diseased colon is removed during what is called a colectomy, colon resection or hemicolectomy. Surgery on your right colon (ascending) is called a right colectomy; surgery on your left colon (descending) is a left colectomy; and surgery on the sigmoid colon (lower left colon just before the rectum) is called a sigmoid colectomy. While surgery is generally the most effective treatment for many conditions, traditional open surgery is highly invasive; it requires a large incision that often leads to a long hospital stay of a week or more and lengthy recovery of up to six weeks.1,2

Less invasive options are available to many patients facing surgery. The most common is laparoscopic surgery, in which smaller incisions are used.  Traditional laparoscopy is effective for many routine procedures but the long-handled, rigid instruments used are not considered effective for delicate or complex operations.

Fortunately there is a minimally invasive option for people facing colorectal surgery that overcomes the limits of traditional open and laparoscopic surgery – da Vinci Surgery.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.

  1. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Patient Information for Laparoscopic Colon Resection from SAGES, www.sages.org, http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI09
  2. Hellan M, Anderson C, Blenhom JD, Paz B, Pigazzi A. Short-Term Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 200710;1245

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