Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have robot-assisted surgery, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

Damage to nearby organs or structures
Infection
Bleeding
Anesthesia-related problems
The need to switch to traditional surgical methods such as traditional laparoscopic or open surgery

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Pre-existing heart or lung condition
Increased age
Diabetes
Obesity
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Use of certain medications

What to Expect TOP

Prior to Procedure

Depending on the reason for your surgery, your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
Blood tests
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Chest x-ray
Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI scan

Leading up to the surgery:

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.
Take antibiotics if instructed.
Follow a special diet if instructed.
Shower the night before using antibacterial soap if instructed.
Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital. Also, have someone to help you at home.
Eat a light meal the night before. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

Depending on the type of procedure that you have, you may be given:

General anesthesia—blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the surgery
Local anesthesia with sedation—just the area that is being operated on is numbed, given as an injection

Description of the Procedure TOP

Keyhole Incisions

Keyhole incisions are placed in preparation for a robot-assisted surgical procedure.

Several small keyhole openings will be cut in the skin near where the surgery will take place. In most cases, a needle will be used to inject carbon dioxide gas into the surgical area. This gas will make it easier for the doctor to see internal structures. Next, a small camera called an endoscope will be passed through 1 of the incisions. The camera will light, magnify, and project an image of the organs onto a video screen. Then robotic arms holding instruments for grasping, cutting, dissecting, and suturing will be inserted through the holes.

While sitting at a console near the operating table, the doctor will use lenses to look at a magnified 3-D image of the inside of the body. Another doctor will stay by the table to adjust the camera and tools. The robotic arms and tools will be guided by movements of the surgeon. Lastly, the tools will be removed and stitches or staples will be used to close the area.

How Long Will It Take? TOP

Usually 1-2 hours or less, depending on the procedure

How Much Will It Hurt? TOP

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications. You may also feel discomfort from the gas used during the procedure. This can last up to 3 days.

Average Hospital Stay TOP

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is a few days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if you have any problems.

Post-procedure Care TOP

While you are recovering at the hospital, you will:

Be encouraged to walk with assistance soon after surgery.
Receive guidelines on what you should eat and what activities you can do. Depending on your procedure, you should be able to go back to your normal activities in a few weeks.
Participate in any physical therapy or rehabilitation.

Call Your Doctor TOP

It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from an incision site
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
Constipation or diarrhea
New or worsening symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Surgeons
https://www.facs.org

US Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
http://www.cadth.ca

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References:

The da Vinci surgical system. University of Southern California, Cardiothoracic Surgery website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 19, 2016.

Robotic radical prostatectomy. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 19, 2016.

Robotic surgery. Brown University website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 19, 2016.

What is robotic surgery? The Robotic Surgery Center at NYU Langone Medical Center website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 19, 2016.

6/3/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance Available at: http://www.dynamed.com: Mills E, Eyawo O, et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.

Last reviewed March 2017 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP
Last Updated: 5/29/2014

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