Robotic Surgery FAQ

What is robotic-assisted surgery?

A surgical robot is an operating room machine that is completely controlled by a skilled surgeon. The surgeon manipulates the robotic arms from a console near your bed. The machine provides the surgeon with greater visibility of the surgical area and greater dexterity (control, range of motion) when compared to other minimally invasive surgical options.

What are the benefits?

Robotic surgery can be performed through smaller incisions, which means less risk of infection, less pain and faster healing after surgery. The robot also provides greater precision during surgery, providing less disruption to your surrounding nerves and organs. In some cases, that precision can be the difference your doctor needs to preserve organ function or save body tissue.

Where is my surgeon during the procedure?

Your surgeon operates the robot from a console near your surgical bed, only a few feet away.

Is the robot programmed to perform my surgery?

Despite its name, robotic surgery is actually performed by highly experienced, specially trained surgeons. The robot is not programmed and cannot move on its own without live guidance from a surgeon. The robot allows your surgeon to be more precise and to be able to move instruments in ways the human hand cannot.

Will my insurance cover the procedure?

If your insurance covers minimally invasive surgery, it probably covers robotic surgery.

Has robotic surgery been approved by the FDA?

The da Vinci® surgical system used by Aurora BayCare has been FDA approved for a wide range of procedures.

My doctor isn’t recommending robotic surgery. Why not?

Not all conditions are suitable for robotic surgery, and not all patients are good candidates for robotic procedures.  Some patients cannot tolerate the length of the procedure or the special positioning due to age, weight or other medical issues. Other patients aren’t good candidates because a prior surgery left them with significant abdominal scarring.