Robotic surgery is an advanced method of surgery, with highly trained surgical experts using leading-edge technology (called the da Vinci® system) to perform minimally invasive procedures. The system is a sophisticated medical device that combines state-of-the-art, 3DHD imaging with fully wristed robotic instrumentation, giving these surgical subspecialists maximum visibility inside the body while operating with precise movements through tiny incisions.
Robotic surgery allows for incredible precision. Benefits can include:
- Less blood loss
- Less pain
- Quicker recovery time
- Less time spent in the hospital
- Quicker return to normal activities
Sometimes patients will ask if the robot does the surgery itself. The answer is no. Rather, it is a sophisticated system that these highly specialized, expert surgeons use to gain even more precision during surgery.
Robotic Surgery at the OSUCCC – James
The Robotic Surgery experts at the OSUCCC – James provide cancer patients with leading-edge, minimally invasive robotic surgical options in a caring, supportive environment with internationally recognized medical expertise, education and medical research.
Because robotic surgery is now an option for several cancer types and sub-types (including prostate, gynecologic, kidney, bladder and more), each diagnosis and treatment plan is led by an OSUCCC – James expert within that particular cancer. Robotic technology enables the OSUCCC – James subspecialists to surgically treat cancer patients with incredible precision, reduced blood loss, reduced pain and faster recovery times.
The OSUCCC – James is an international leader in discovering new ways to perform surgeries that are less invasive. The Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery’s nationally renowned program combines:
- More than 61 robotics surgery experts in more than 12 different cancer specialties and backed by multidisciplinary teams including specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology and more
- One of the country’s most experienced surgical support teams of nurses and expert technicians
- Nationally renowned expertise in more than 80 different robotic procedures
- Evidence-based research and clinical trials in robotics, many initiated at The Ohio State University
Our surgical subspecialists were among the first in the United States to perform minimally invasive surgery using the groundbreaking da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. The OSUCCC – James surgeons continue to perform more robot-assisted surgeries than any other hospital in Ohio and are among the top five in the entire nation.
Robotics Research
For cancer patients, research and clinical trials mean hope.
Clinical trials are research studies designed to test new, innovative ways to prevent, detect, diagnose or treat cancer patients.
The OSUCCC – James is a national leader in robotic surgery, and in addition to an international reputation for clinical excellence, the Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery continues to advance the future of robotic surgery by researching ways to advance current techniques even further and to develop innovative new procedures – all under the expert guidance of our specialist and subspecialists.
Additionally, through our ongoing commitment to education, research and clinical trials, the OSUCCC – James is also a top training center for surgeons in robotic surgery.
As an integral part of a major academic center, the Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery’s highly trained specialists and subspecialists focus not only on providing patients with the latest medical advances but also on using our unique expertise to create the best care in the future, too. We have pioneered several advanced trials, including through-the-mouth, robotic-assisted surgery to remove cancerous head and neck tumors, which lessens the risk of scarring and infection.
Other areas of robotic surgery research at the OSUCCC – James include:
Gynecologic Oncology
In addition to ongoing research that continually evaluates safety, effectiveness and quality-of-life outcomes for gynecological robotic surgery patients, the OSUCCC – James also participates in clinical trials studying:
- Pain levels for endometrial cancer patients undergoing robotic surgery vs. laparotomy or traditional surgery
- The use of robotics and fluorescents to determine if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and to examine the potential way endometrial cancer is spreading
Thoracic
The OSUCCC – James experts champion research for outcome studies on safety and effectiveness of robotic procedures. One of the newest studies assesses robotic thoracic surgery cases to compare their effectiveness to similar groups of thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients.
Head and Neck
OSUCCC – James surgeons are leading a pioneering clinical trial to study the use of trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) for oral and laryngo-pharyngeal cancerous and non-cancerous lesions. In fact, they have also published the first report on the use of TORS for naso-pharyngeal lesions as well.
Additionally, the OSUCCC – James experts are continually involved in ongoing research studying clinical and quality-of-life outcomes for TORS patients.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a robotic surgery specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
The Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery
Learn more about robotic surgery by visiting the Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery's website.