Since surgery is the main curative treatment for cancer, Gustave Roussy has focused on the development of robot-assisted surgery (or robotic surgery), notably allowing minimally invasive surgery to benefit the patient’s quality of life. This technique indeed offers the advantages of open surgery but uses minimal incisions of laparoscopic surgery.
The Da Vinci Xi surgical robot was installed in Gustave Roussy in November 2014. At the cutting edge of technology, this model has a high precision movement capacity and includes a high definition imaging system. If necessary, the imaging can be coupled with a fluorescence contrast system, which makes it possible to obtain a dynamic image in real-time.
The surgical console can be connected to an ultrasound system. That projects the images directly onto the control screen, guiding the surgeon during the operation: this system is essential for liver surgeries.
Thanks to this surgical robot, Gustave Roussy was one of the first hospitals in the world. To perform breast ablation with simultaneous reconstruction without a scar on the chest as part of a clinical trial, in December 2015. More than 150 procedures robot-assisted annually are currently performed at the Institute using this surgical robot. The number of procedures increases every year, in many specialties such as:• breast cancer
- ENT cancers
- thyroid cancer
- gynecological cancers
- digestive cancers
The advantages of robotic surgery
Better visibility for the surgeon
Compared to conventional laparoscopic techniques, robotic surgery offers stabilized 3D vision and instrument maneuverability in all planes of the environment.
The instruments are therefore steered with extreme precision, combined with remarkable visibility.
Minimally invasive surgery in areas that are difficult to access
The robot can be used to facilitate access to areas that are usually difficult, regardless of the surgical specialty concerned:
for example in the pelvis cavity in digestive and gynecological surgery, or the oropharyngeal space in ENT surgery.
Less aesthetic sequelae
Thanks to the robot, breast surgery is performed without a scar on the breast. And Thyroid surgery is also almost invisible.
Precision dissection
The number of operations that can be carried out minimally invasively is gradually increasing in all specialties.
The instruments are oriented in all planes of space.
With degrees of freedom identical or even greater than those of a human hand.
The Da Vinci Xi robot
Developed by the company Intuitive Surgical, the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot
Is made up of three parts: the control console, the patient trolley, and the technical column.
Control console
Is located slightly away from the operating table. The surgeon sits at the console to manipulate the levers and pedals through a three-dimensional view. The robot converts the command into precise movements of instruments.
Patient trolley
Sterilely protected, has four robotic arms to which surgical instruments are connected and a high definition 3D camera.
Rotation system
Allows the robot to fine-tune the tissues and exactly reproduces the surgeon’s gestures in all planes of space.
Technical column
Carries the imaging systems next to the robotic system’s data center.
Soon, the robotic system used at Gustave Roussy will be able to be connected to a synchronized operating table.
To be able to change the position table without risk during the entire operation, for better comfort for the patient and the surgeon.
The Da Vinci Xi robot installed in Gustave Roussy was funded by the Philanthropia Foundation, patron of the Institute.
Develop robotic surgery
Innovative studies are currently being carried out by doctors from Gustave Roussy in the field of robot-assisted surgery:
MARCI, for breast cancer
Objective: To offer a surgical alternative, more aesthetic and less psychologically traumatic, to women who have to undergo breast removal followed by immediate reconstruction.
AVATAR, for thyroid cancer
Objective: Reduce the aggressiveness of thyroid ablation and its aesthetic sequelae.
To allow patients to live without lasting stigma following this operation.
TORS, for ENT cancers
Objective: to assess the feasibility of an intervention by natural means to avoid major mutilations in ENT surgery. With this new technique, Gustave Roussy will become a referral center for robotic surgery for ENT cancers.
GROG, for rectal cancer
Objective: To evaluate in a multicenter way the advantages of robot-assisted surgery for rectal tumors, to minimize the functional sequelae inherent in these resections.
To support the development of robotic surgery in Gustave Roussy through these studies