Healthcare: Cancer Care

  1. Baylor College of Medicine
  2. Healthcare
  3. Specialties
  4. Oncology
  5. Cancer Types
  6. Gastrointestinal Cancers
  7. Pancreatic Cancer
  8. Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer
  9. Robotic and Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery

Robotic and Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery

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Laparoscopic Surgery

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Laparoscopic surgery is a type of surgery that uses small incisions and a camera to help doctors see inside your body. The camera is called a laparoscope. It is inserted through a small incision in your skin. The doctor then uses the laparoscope to see inside your body and do the surgery. The small incisions help to reduce pain and scarring after the surgery.h.

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Illustration of a robotic thoracic surgery setup. A patient lies on an operating table surrounded by medical staff and robotic equipment. On the left, a surgeon sits at a large console labeled "Surgeon Console," controlling robotic arms from a distance. Near the patient, a "Surgical Assistant" stands on the left, while a "Scrub Nurse" stands on the right. Behind them is the "Patient Cart," which holds robotic surgical arms positioned above the patient. An "Anesthesiologist" stands near the patient’s head, n
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Robotic-Assisted Pancreas Surgery

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Robotic surgery is a cutting-edge medical technology that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries with enhanced precision and control. 

How Does the Robotic System Work?

The robotic system consists of several components. The surgeon console is where the surgeon sits, providing a 3D high-definition view of the surgical area. The surgeon uses master controls to manipulate robotic arms.

The patient cart contains robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments. These instruments can mimic the surgeon’s hand movements with high precision and offer a wide range of motion, mimicking the dexterity of a human hand.

The vision cart houses the system’s camera and other advanced imaging equipment, providing a clear and magnified view of the surgical site.

During surgery, approximately five small incisions are made to access the surgical area. Then the surgical instruments and inserted through these small incisions.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

  • Minimally invasive: The use of small incisions results in less scarring, less pain and quicker recovery for patients.
  • Enhanced precision: The robotic system provides a greater range of motion and improved control, allowing for more precise surgical procedures.
  • 3D visualization: The 3D, high-definition view of the surgical area offers better depth perception and an improved understanding of the patient’s anatomy.
  • Reduced blood loss: The precision of the robotic instruments often leads to less bleeding during surgery.
  • Shorter hospital stays: Patients often spend less time in the hospital and recover faster compared to traditional open surgeries.

Your safety, minimizing any complications and having a good outcome is our number one priority. While robotic surgery offers many advantages, it requires highly trained surgeons to operate the system effectively. Our surgeons at the Elkins Pancreas Center have specialized training and experience with this technique ensuring safe and successful procedures. For your safety, we often have multiple experienced attending surgeons participating in the operation. 

We also have extensive experience in traditional open pancreas surgery. Although infrequent, if for any reason the robotic approach is deemed unsafe, the technique will be converted to traditional open pancreas surgery.