Obese people who resort to keyhole or laparoscopic surgery will now get the privilege to undergo a robotic surgery using the same method. Researchers praise it as a true surgical advance where as critics note it as an expensive way of doing things. The FDA had earlier approved a robotic system which could be used in heart bypass surgery.

How a Robotic Surgery works?
Mechanical arms are attached to the instruments that the surgeon holds. At the time of operation, the surgeon sits at a console with video monitor. He moves the attached instruments which activates the mechanical arms. With the help of robotic arms, Telesurgery is also possible.

The weight loss operation using robotic surgery is called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The whole procedure has a complicated approach and a surgeon needs to do 75 to 100 such cases in order to get friendly with the robotic procedure.

The da Vinci system
Some surgeons say that the da Vinci system has better features than the robotic laparoscopy. Da Vinci system creates a three dimensional image. It makes it easier for surgeons to tie knots when compared with standard laparoscopy. Laparoscopy only has a two dimensional image.

Robotic approach vs. standard approach
In robotic approach the operating time was 169 minutes where as in standard procedure it took 208 minutes. There was no difference in complication rates and the length of stay. Every surgeon will not be ready to conduct robotic surgeries. There's no advantage for an established surgeon on robotic surgery over the standard laparoscopic experience. Robotic approach is more expensive.

Advantages of the Robotic Approach
Surgeons get more proficient more quickly
The new technique minimizes the need to reposition the robots as compared to earlier techniques
It's less time consuming
Less skeletal strain for the surgeon
It gives greater range of motion with the wrist

Obesity is a major health worry in today's world. With weight loss programs and surgeries occupying front seats in obesity related treatments, advanced weight loss surgeries like the robotic approach will attract more people towards treating obesity.