Robot-assisted surgery: new horizons in Israeli medicine

Before the introduction of such systems, many surgeries on the liver, pancreas,and biliary tract were performed exclusively through open access, requiring large incisions, long recovery periods, severe pain and visible scarring. Today, a surgeon can perform the same procedure through several small incisions of just 8 mm, reducing surgical trauma and speeding up recovery.

Patients treated with the da Vinci Xi system note several advantages: less pain, shorter hospital stays, minimal postoperative scarring and faster return to normal activity. For oncology patients, this is especially important, as quick healing allows them to resume therapy as soon as possible.

The da Vinci Xi system consists of two key components:

• a “patient cart” with four robotic arms inserted into the abdominal cavity through small incisions;
• a surgeon console, from which the doctor controls the robotic instruments using multifunctional controllers and a high-resolution viewing screen.

One of the robot’s arms is equipped with a 3D video camera that delivers a highly accurate, magnified image, allowing the surgeon to see the tiniest tissue details. The other three arms hold surgical instruments and precisely replicate the surgeon’s hand movements, eliminating even minimal motor inaccuracies. Each robotic arm has the same degrees of freedom as a human hand, allowing extremely delicate movements during the most complex surgeries.

The advantages of surgeries performed with the da Vinci surgical robot compared to traditional laparoscopy are clear:

• three-dimensional imaging of the surgical field with exceptional detail;
• 7 degrees of freedom in the instruments, enabling highly precise maneuvers that are difficult or impossible to perform manually;
• stability and accuracy, regardless of the duration of the operation;
• ergonomic working conditions for the surgeon, reducing fatigue.

The da Vinci Xi system is used in a wide range of surgical fields. At the Ichilov medical center in Israel, it is applied for:

• liver and pancreatic resections, where it is crucial to remove affected areas while preserving healthy tissue;
• reconstruction of the bile duct, which requires high precision and minimal trauma to surrounding tissues;
• oncological surgeries, enabling accurate tumor removal without significant damage to organs and tissues.

Additionally, robotic surgery opens new possibilities for complex procedures in urology, gynecology and cardiac surgery. In the future, broader applications are expected in transplant surgery and pediatric surgery. The da Vinci Xi robot is transforming surgical practice, making complex procedures safer, more accurate and less traumatic.

Icholov clinic, equipped with advanced technologies and highly qualified specialists, is one of the world leaders in robot-assisted surgery, offering patients an optimal combination of innovation, safety and accelerated recovery. Learn more about whether robot-assisted surgery is suitable in your case at the Ichilov medical center.