Robotic tubal reversal surgery is a common inquiry from many people who contact A Personal Choice.
Tubal Reversal Message Board participants will often post messages about ‘robot’ tubal reversal and many patients will call us to ask if we perform robotic tubal reversal. In this three part blog series we will explain the concept of ‘robot’ surgery and discuss recent medical information on robotic tubal reversal surgery.
Robot Tubal Reversal Surgery
Robot tubal reversal surgery is not exactly what the term implies. Many people mistakenly believe when they have robot tubal reversal that the robot actually performs the surgery- very similar to how robots help build cars on assembly lines. This is a common misconception.
Currently, we do not have the technology, which allows robots to perform surgery without a human controller. A surgeon does all robotic surgery and the surgeon uses a controller to operate instruments. These instruments are placed inside the patient, by a surgical team, just prior to starting surgery. Robots do not perform the robot tubal reversal surgery.
Robot Reversal: Da Vinci Robot
Robot reversal is being done with a robot instrument called the da Vinci robot. This system has two main parts: a patient-side cart (referred to as the ‘robot’) and a surgeon’s console (the surgeons controls).
Robot Tube Reversal
Robot tube reversal starts with surgical assistants who position the robot (patient-side cart) near the patient in the operating room. The robot does not have wheels, legs, or any ability to move its position within the operating room. The robot does have several arms. One arm is a camera and the other arms are specialized surgical instruments with unique capabilities (i.e., grasping, cutting, coagulating (burning), irrigating (washing), etc). The side cart and the console is what facilitates robot tube reversal.
Robot Tubal Reversal: Specialist
A robot tubal reversal specialist (the surgeon) sits several feet away from the patient at the surgeon’s console.
The surgeon places their face inside a vision hood and can see the same image the robot’s camera sees. The surgeon places their hands and fingers on controllers and using these controllers the tubal reversal specialist can instruct the robot on how to move its instruments.
The robot is an extension of the vision and movement of the robot tubal reversal specialist.
Robotic Sterilization Reversal
Robotic sterilization reversal is one surgery, which can be done with the robot. Many other types of surgery are done utilizing the robot. The most common surgeries done with the robot are prostate, kidney surgeries, heart and lung surgeries, intestinal cancer surgery, and gynecologic surgery.
Advantages Of Robotic Tubal Reversal
Advantages of robotic tubal reversal surgery are allowing the surgeon more accurate, precise, and efficient movement of surgical instruments when compared with traditional laparoscopic (camera) surgery. Since only the small instruments are placed inside the patient, robotic surgery has an advantage over traditional open surgery because it allows surgeries to be done through smaller incisions with less pain and faster recovery.
Disadvantages of Robotic Tubal Reversal
Disadvantages of robotic tubal reversal surgery are requiring most doctors to have additional, specialized surgical training, being more expensive, and requiring the patient to be under anesthesia longer. The advantages and disadvantages are very important when considering robotic sterilization reversal.
About Robot Sterilization Reversal
Robot sterilization reversal is a common inquiry from many of our patients. 
The tubal reversal specialists of A Personal Choice would like to provide readers with a basic understanding of robotic tubal reversal and the unique advantages and disadvantages this form of surgery provides.
The next article, Robotic Tubal Ligation: Medical Studies, discusses the most current medical research on robotic tubal reversal. Our last article will offer my opinion on current robot sterilization reversal.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
