Personal Interviews
We asked physician assistant Pamela Keefer and orthopedic
surgeon Dr. Eric Keefer, some questions about robotic surgery in
the orthopedic field.
How many robotic surgeries have you seen?
I have seen three.
Have you worked with the a DVinci surgery system?
No, you cannot use da Vinci for orthopedic surgery. Instead, orthopedists use ROBODOC.
How does the system move?
The surgeon inputs data pre-operatively and the surgeon is in the operating room with the robot the entire time.
In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of having a robot do the surgery?
Pros:
- Greater range of motion
- AESOP (Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning) helps
see through the body fluids-greater visual appreciation
- Minimally invasive
- less blood loss
Cons:
- Surgical time may increase
- Is the surgeon the only one who handles the robot?
- Most likely, although they might train the aide to as well.
- Is the surgeon in control at all times, or is the surgery autonomous?
- The surgeon is always in control of the surgery, and the patient is always in the same room as the surgeon during the operation.