How does the da Vinci robot work?

The da Vinci Xi surgical robot we use at The London Clinic features four robotic arms.

At the end of one arm is a high-definition camera. It provides your surgeon with extremely detailed, three-dimensional images of the area they’re operating on.

At the end of the other three arms are tiny surgical instruments. These instruments move like a human hand but have a far greater range of motion.

The da Vinci surgical system also features special technology that filters out any shakes in your surgeon’s hands when they’re guiding the robot’s surgical instruments. This helps your surgeon to move each instrument with smooth precision.

In the operating room, your surgeon sits close to you at a set of controls that operate the da Vinci robot (often known as the surgeon console).

The surgeon console also features a wraparound screen on which the surgeon views the magnified, 3D views created by the high-definition camera.

When performing your operation, the surgeon will first make a few tiny cuts on your body. They will then pass the camera and tiny surgical instruments through these incisions and into your body, similar to keyhole surgery.

Using their hands and feet, your surgeon controls the camera until it reaches the area of concern in your body.

Looking at their screen, they then precisely move the surgical instruments to carry out incredibly accurate cuts and complete your operation.

Because da Vinci robotic technology is so precise and performs minimally invasive surgery, it has many benefits compared to conventional open surgery. These include:

• Less pain
• Less scarring
• Smaller wounds
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less blood loss
• Fewer infections
• Lower chance of complications