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Skyler Pearce

Blattman

Biology 1010

14 January 2019

Medical Robots Performing Surgery

The year 2000, the year that robots were introduced into the medical fields to assist and

even replace trained doctors. Robots had been used to assist in surgeries before the year 2000,

but according to the article, “History and the Future of Robotic Surgery” by Dr. David B. Samadi

he states, “In 2000, the da Vinci Surgery System broke new ground by becoming the first robotic

surgery system approved by the FDA for general laparoscopic surgery.” This was the year the

robot was officially approved and considered safe for use. At least safe enough to replace a

doctor.

Of course, like all things, there are two sides. Maybe even three, but for the most part

there is a group of people that support a certain topic, and a group that is the opposite. In this

case right now, there is a group of people that support robots entering the medical field, and feel

as though they bring an advantage to the table. There is also the other group, the group of people

that does not support the change to move to robots in the medical field, they feel there are too

many cons associated with this change.

The idea and process of having surgery are very delicate matters. Whether is is supported

or not, the amount of robots entering the medical field are likely to increase. In the article, “​Dr.

Robot: What Medical Robots Lack in Bedside Manner, They Make Up for in Providing Safer,

More Accurate Surgery and Faster Diagnosis of Disease,” by Robot Technology, Ben
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Hargreaves makes a very convincing statement, “The top surgeons can do as well as a

robot-maybe even better. But there are more junior surgeons where, potentially, they would do a

better job using robotic assistance.” Robots, being ran by electronics and mechanical arms, do

not get shaking or twitch making a major mistake. Doctors running the robots can make large

movements, and the robot copies it with smaller movements. This makes surgery extremely

accurate in tight places. Another pro to robots in surgery takes place in brain surgery. The

Canada’s Neuro Arm robot allows the surgeon to operate remotely on the patient's brain, while

also accessing and MRI feed, monitoring brain activity. Robots are already dexterous enough to

perform micro surgeries.

On the other hand, there are some cons to having robots perform surgeries. A simple

problem that could occur is if the robot breaks or loses power. If this happens, a patient is stuck

on a table with a robot on it, or possibly inside of the surgical area. Robots take away personal

interaction. In cases where you can get to know your surgeon, and establish a layer of trust, you

cannot do that with a robot. This can make it very difficult for certain people to go through with

the surgery that they may desperately need. In the near future, robots could totally replace

doctors, making all their hard work, schooling, and time spent a waste.

My personal opinion is I agree with bringing in robots to the medical field. I feel as

though there would be less error, and robots do not have emotion, they will do the job they need

to. The fact that there is more accuracy with a robot is very comforting, knowing you will be

putting your life in the arms of one. As time goes one, robot technology will always be

improving, whereas there will never be any superhuman doctors performing surgery. The article

by Roger Allan, called, “Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Shortens Recovery and Reduces
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Risks,” says, “With robot control and assistance, surgery for any kind of injury or ailment is

faster, more accurate, and less invasive than ever before.” This is a big persuader for me, if

surgery is faster and more accurate, than more people will be able to be a part of it.

In conclusion, robots performing surgery have more pros than they do cons. Technology

always increases, as will the amount of robots in the medical field. Surgeries will be more

accurate, and the number of successful surgeries are going to increase. Whether is is wanted or

not, the robots are going to keep happening.

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Works Cited

Samadi, David. “History and the Future of Robotic Surgery.” Robotic Oncology.

https://www.roboticoncology.com/history-of-robotic-surgery/

Accessed 14 Jan. 2019. Article

Hargreaves, Ben. "Dr. Robot: What Medical Robots Lack in Bedside Manner, They Make Up for

in Providing Safer, More Accurate Surgery and Faster Diagnosis of Disease." Robotic

Technology, edited by Louise Gerdes, Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010899208/OVIC?u=onlinelibrary&sid=OVIC&

xid=b2e5df57. Accessed 14 Jan. 2019. Originally published in Professional Engineering

Magazine, vol. 24, no. 4, Apr. 2011.

Allan, Roger. "Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Shortens Recovery and Reduces Risks."

Medical Technology, edited by Carol Ullmann and Lynn M. Zott, Greenhaven Press,

2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010864208/OVIC?u=onlinelibrary&sid=OVIC&

xid=755761f3. Accessed 14 Jan. 2019. Originally published as "Robotics Give Doctors a

Helping Hand," Electronic Design, 19 June 2008.