Application of robotic platform in an extremely difficult appendectomy
This is a 65 years old male with two months history of right lower quadrant abdominal pain whose initial CT scan showed mild enlargement of appendix suspicious for acute appendicitis. Patient was treated with conservative therapy with antibiotics and sent home. He was seen with his surgeon as an outpatient for follow up two weeks later and reported no pain and discomfort. He was doing well until a month later when he experienced recurrent right lower quadrant abdominal pain. His repeat CT scan showed more enlargement of his appendix with significant inflammatory process around it. He underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy. The initial inspection showed subacute appendicitis with significant thick, firm adhesions and scar tissue, making the minimally invasive robotic surgery approach with conventional laparoscopic equipment almost impossible. Normally a conversion to open technique is the only option in these situations.
Appendix robotic surgery
This video demonstrates the application of the robotic surgery platform to perform an extremely difficult appendectomy with minimally invasive approach and avoidance of convention to the open appendectomy. The wristed instrumentation and superb visualization of the robotic platform allowed the surgeon to proceed with minimally invasive approach to remove the appendix. This patient tolerated the procedure very well and was discharged home on the same day. He went back to work and resumed his regular exercise and activity in 2 weeks.
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