Robots can deliver food orders, vacuum our living rooms and build cars. They can also transform what's possible in the operating room.
As one of Canada's leading centres for robotic-assisted surgery, UHN performs hundreds of complex procedures each year and helps train the next generation of specialized robotic surgeons.
UHN uses robotic-assisted surgery to help surgeons do what they do best.
By combining human expertise with advanced technology, robotic-assisted surgery enhances surgical precision while helping patients experience less pain and faster recovery.
What is robotic-assisted surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions using robotic instruments.
Throughout the procedure, the surgeon directs every action and remains in full control.
"I'll often explain to patients that using a robotic approach for your operation does not mean that a robot is doing your surgery," says Dr. Lauren Philp, a gynecologic oncologist at UHN.
"Instead, we're using a robotic system attached to surgical tools that I help guide."
During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a nearby console with specialized controls that translate their hand motions into precise movements of the robotic instruments.
The robotic system provides a high-definition, magnified view of the surgical area and allows surgeons to use the instruments with a high degree of precision and a greater range than the human hand.
This helps surgeons operate in small, difficult to reach spaces while minimizing impact on healthy tissue.
"The greater precision we get with robotic-assisted surgery can make a meaningful difference during complex procedures," says Dr. Sami Chadi, a colorectal surgeon and medical lead of the robotics program at UHN.
What are the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery?
Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include:
- Smaller incisions
- Minimized scarring
- Reduced pain after surgery
- Less blood loss
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery
Many patients go home the day of surgery and experience lower rates of post-operative complications, such as infections and blood clots. For certain complex procedures, additional recovery time in hospital may be required.
By minimizing the physical impact of surgery, patients can heal faster and return to their normal lives sooner.
"One of the greatest advantages of robotic-assisted surgery is that it expands access to minimally invasive surgery for patients who may not have otherwise been considered a candidate — including patients who have a high body mass index," says Dr. Philp.
How is robotic-assisted surgery different from laparoscopic surgery?
Both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery are minimally invasive procedures that use tiny cameras, specialized instruments and small incisions instead of one large incision.
The difference is in how the surgeon controls the instruments.
With laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon stands beside the patient and operates the surgical instruments by hand.
With robotic surgery, those instruments are connected to robotic arms that the surgeon controls from a nearby console.
Instruments used in laparoscopic surgery are more limited as they have one dimension of movement.
"Imagine you can only use your hand without moving your wrist," says Dr. Chadi.
"Robotic-assisted surgery gives the instruments wrists, so the tools can twist and turn with even more range of motion."
How do I know robotic-assisted surgery is the right option for me?
Your care team will review your condition and determine whether robotic-assisted surgery is the most appropriate approach for your individual needs.
Your care team will consider your diagnosis, overall health and the complexity of the procedure.
"The greater precision we get with robotic-assisted surgery can make a meaningful difference during complex procedures," says Dr. Chadi.
"For example, we know that with certain cancer surgeries, such as removing colorectal cancers deep within the pelvis, there are studies that show that we can provide patients with better surgical outcomes when it is robotic-assisted."
In some cases, traditional laparoscopic surgery may be appropriate and also provides excellent outcomes.
What can patients expect?
Your care team will guide you through every step — from preparing for your surgery to your post-surgery recovery:
- Consultation: Your surgeon will assess whether robotic-assisted surgery is the most effective option for your condition
- Surgery: Your care team, which includes your surgeon, nurses, anesthesiologists and specially trained surgical staff, work together on the day of your procedure
- Recovery: After surgery, your care team monitors your recovery. Many patients experience less pain and faster return to daily activities, depending on the procedure
- Follow-up care: Once you return home, your care team will continue to monitor your recovery, guide you and support your healing
How is UHN pushing the boundaries of robotic-assisted surgery?
UHN has been at the forefront of robotic-assisted surgery, performing one of highest volumes of procedures in Canada.
"What excites me most is seeing patients who otherwise would have not been considered surgical candidates come to UHN to benefit from this robotic technology and our expertise," says Dr. Philp.
With one of the largest teams of robotic surgeons and one of the most diverse robotic surgery programs in North America, UHN offers robotic-assisted surgery across a wide range of specialties, including:
- Colorectal surgery
- Hepatobiliary surgery
- Gynecologic oncology
- Urologic surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Transplant surgery
- Bariatric surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
"At UHN, every innovation is guided by our primary value of putting patients first," says Dr. Chadi.
"As robotic-assisted surgery continues to evolve, so does our ability to deliver safer, more precise and less invasive surgical care."
