"Robotic surgery" can sound like the robot is doing the operating. It isn't. The robot is an extremely precise extension of the surgeon's hands -- I sit at a console next to you in the operating room and control every instrument movement directly, while the rest of the surgical team works at your side the entire time. Nothing moves unless I move it.
What the robotic platform adds is a high-definition, 3D view of the inside of your body, far steadier and more precise movement than the human hand alone, and the ability to work through several small incisions instead of one large one.
How I decide between robotic and open surgery
The right approach depends on your specific anatomy, the size and complexity of what's being repaired, your overall health, and your prior surgical history -- scar tissue from a previous operation can change what's safely possible. For most gallbladder and hernia procedures, I prefer a robotic approach when it's appropriate, because it tends to mean smaller incisions and a more precise repair. But in certain situations -- extensive scarring, very large or complex hernias, or specific findings during surgery -- an open approach is the safer or more effective choice, either from the start or as a planned conversion partway through.
This isn't a one-size-fits-all decision, and it's one I'll walk through with you directly during your consultation, based on your imaging, exam, and history.
What's similar either way
- Same attention to safety steps -- critical structures are identified and protected before anything is divided, regardless of approach
- Same pain control philosophy: scheduled non-narcotic medications first, narcotics reserved for breakthrough pain
- Same follow-up process to check healing and clear you for normal activity
What's different
- **Incisions:** robotic surgery generally uses several small incisions; open surgery uses one larger incision sized to the procedure
- **Recovery:** robotic approaches often (not always) mean a quicker return to normal activity, since the incisions are smaller
- **Visualization:** the robotic camera provides 3D, magnified visualization; open surgery relies on direct vision and feel
For more detail, see the full Robotic vs. Open Surgery guide.