Telesurgery, also known as remote surgery, is a type of surgery that combines robotics with modern technology. When telesurgery is performed,a surgeon does not have to be in the same physical location as a patient. Instead, surgery is performed using special instruments that respond to high-speed data and management information programs.
One of the earliest, and most memorable, telesurgical operations was performed by a surgeon, Dr. Jacques Marescaux, in New York City, who was operating on a patient in Strasbourg, France. The gallbladder operation was executed with the help of a dedicated fiberoptic link. The operation was a success, and it marked a whole new era within the surgical field.
Presently, telesurgery is quite popular in theory, though telesurgical techniques have not been widely adopted. Still, many different operations have been conducted via telesurgery all over the globe. There are many different advantages to this type of surgery. Frequently, people who live in remote locations do not have professional surgeons readily available. Prior to telesurgery, these people were forced to travel great distances in order to benefit from a surgical procedure.
In addition, those people seeking the help of a specialized surgeon no longer have to travel to another country in order to benefit from certain procedures. Also, various military outfits have a vested interest in telesurgery, since the advancement of remote surgery could mean less war casualties. By performing various surgical procedures on soldiers remotely, lives may be saved. This technology may also be useful when providing medical attention to people living in developing countries.
The list of telesurgical benefits is a vast one that keeps growing as the field of telesurgery progresses. It is entirely possible that this type of surgery will not require human interaction at all within the near future. Each time remote surgery is preformed, a surgeon's movements and techniques are recorded. Many hope that these recordings may, one day, be able to "teach" robots how to perform surgery without the assistance of a surgeon.
While there are many positive aspects to remote surgery, there are also a few glitches that need to be worked out. One of the main problems with remote surgery is the fact that an anesthesiologist still needs to be present before any surgical procedure can be performed. Another is the fact that a backup surgeon is usually required to assist a primary surgeon. These details are important, though scientists are continuously working on ways to make remote surgery a flawless craft.
