Hey @bachophile
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@bachophile there's little doubt that for some procedures, like a radical prostatectomy, the robot is the way to go. I used to HATE that operation. Surgeon goes in, roots his index finger behind the prostate, tearing whatever vasculature is back there, and I have to play catch-up. Then, he'd pack it with laps while, hopefully, things clotted off enough that he could see what the FUCK is bleeding.
It always took about 3 hours, and even the fastest urologists were at 2 hours.
With the robot, it can take longer, of course. 4-5 hours was typical at our place. But, I never had to transfuse any of those patients. When it's time for my prostatectomy, I want Dr. DaVinci across the table from the urologist.
But...
When general surgeons started using the robot for gallbladders (taking a 1 hour case and making a 4 hour case out of it - not to mention standing the patient up in steep reverse Trendelenburg) that's just silly. Even sillier is when they used it for inguinal hernias.
For hysterectomies, a talented gynecologist (I know, oxymoron) could do a vag hyst in about 90 minutes. An untalented one, in about 3 hours. I fail to see how it's better than a laparoscopic assisted approach, but I guess the gynes and the general surgeons need their toys.
I understand that now the ortho guys are using robots for total joints. Never seen one, never hope to.
I'm so glad I'm retired.
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