Near Perpignan: “An evolution in operating techniques”, the Médipole Saint-Roch polyclinic is equipped with a more efficient surgical-assisted robot

Articulated arms, plastic abdomen, camera and console with controls. But what is this installation which dominates the reception hall of the Médipole Saint-Roch polyclinic this Thursday, December 19? The company Intuitive presents its new assisted surgical robot, the Da Vinci tip used in the most complex interventions. For the moment, only urology surgical teams benefit from this advanced technology.

Fluid gestures and great amplitude

Removal of the prostate, bladder or partial removal of a kidney. It is in these common urology procedures that the robot is most often used. With the Da Vinci X, the urological surgeon now has four arms: one for the camera and the other three for the instruments. To carry out the operation with such a technological device, the doctor sits at the console and configures its ergonomic settings. He places his face in the 3D binocular screen which offers a precise vision of the inside of the patient’s abdomen, insufflated, to carry out the procedure by laparoscopy (editor’s note: small opening in the patient’s abdomen). The surgeon controls his movements thanks to the two tele-operated manipulators which provide him with large amplitude, fluid movements and better dexterity. These articulated arms are equipped with the instruments necessary for the operation (pliers, clip, stapler, etc.). At his feet, pedals control the camera and the selection of electrosurgery instruments (editor’s note. sectioning or coagulation of tissues by application of high frequency alternating electric current).

Digestive and gynecological surgeries soon to be affected

Dr Roques, urologist at the Médipole Saint-Roch polyclinic, has been performing his procedures using robot assistance since 2017: “Before we had to completely open the patient’s abdomen. Then came laparoscopy. But we were faced with technical limitations. Operating with such a tool allows us to have wider access to an anatomical area because we were sometimes visually restricted“And if for the moment only the urology department is affected by the robot assistance, the clinic does not intend to stop there.”We are anchored in the medicine of tomorrow, therefore in an evolution of operating techniques. Digestive and gynecological surgeries will also soon be able to benefit from robot-assisted equipment, by 2026“, confides the director of the clinic Bruno Jeanjean. In 2025, the polyclinic will also be equipped with a robot to carry out measurements of hip and knee prostheses. As for the precise cost of this new robot and these future acquisitions, the director remains evasive: “Of course these are big investments but you have to know how to invest in tools for the good of patients“.