Helping Hands: How Robots Assist In Our Operating Rooms
Written by Jane McLaughlin
Published on January 30th, 2026
Imagine a surgeon performing a complex procedure without making direct contact with their patient but instead sitting feet away at a console performing the surgery with robotic hands. The Da Vinci surgical robot is a recent innovation made to assist surgeons in various procedures. The Da Vinci robot allows for more accuracy and precision as well as reduced recovery time for patients. This invention has forever altered the experience for surgeons and patients.
What is the Da Vinci Surgical Robot?
The Da Vinci surgical robot is a robot-assisted system that helps surgeons performing rigorous surgeries. This machine does not operate on its own but is controlled by a surgeon who has gone through extensive training and has a history with more direct surgeries. The Da Vinci requires thorough training to ensure the surgeon and the nurses are prepared to perform the surgery. (da Vinci Robotic Surgery, 2025)
How does the Da Vinci work?
The Da Vinci is equipped with robot arms, a high-definition endoscopic camera that allows the surgeon a clear view into the patient's body and a surgeon console where the surgeon sits separate to the patient during the procedure. The Da Vinci allows for a realistic feel so much that the surgeon is experiencing the same sensory touch they would if they were performing it with their hands. The robot translates hand movement
to be precise actions, however it has a sensor that prevents the surgeon from jerking. For example, if the surgeon were to sneeze and jolt forward the machine would catch it and stop it before the robotic arms make unnecessary contact with the patient during the surgery potentially causing complications.
What types of surgeries is the DaVinci used for?
The Da Vinci robot is used for various types of surgeries including general surgery, gynecology (hysterectomy, fibroids), urology (kidneys or prostate), thoracic (lungs), colorectal (colon and rectal), and cardiac (heart). The surgical robot can assist with advanced surgeries including hysterectomies (the removal of the uterus). (Procedures Performed Using Robotic-Assisted Technology, n.d)
The patient benefits of the Da Vinci…
The Da Vinci robot has benefits for the patients that create a more comfortable experience. The Da Vinci creates smaller incisions in comparison to open surgery. The properly sterilized tools and the doctor's distance from the patient prevents infections or complications. Smaller incisions allow for a reduced loss of blood and smaller scars. The reduced pain due to smaller incisions allows less trauma to the procedure location. All of these benefits allow the patients to have shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. (Robotic surgery increases precision, shortens recovery, 2025)
The surgeon benefits of the Da Vinci…
Just like the Da Vinci benefits the patients it also benefits the surgeons. The robot has more precision and control. This allows the surgeon to perform to the fullest extent without being limited because of the robot. The robot allows for improved visibility using an endoscopic camera giving the surgeon a clearer view of the procedure location. The machine reduces the doctor's hand strain and tremors in comparison to open surgery In conclusion, this innovation benefits all involved in the surgeries. (Robotic surgery increases precision, shortens recovery, 2025)
Personally, I believe that the Da Vinci Surgical robot is the most advanced technological innovation the healthcare industry has seen. I have had the opportunity to talk with nurses and surgeons who use the machine and ask questions about the technology. I was able to hear a presentation on the use of the robot. I even got to use the most recent model of the robot on a rubber ball and pick things like hair and glitter off of it using the surgeon console. The sensory experience of this machine is unreal and incomparable. The precision the machine has to be able to pick up a speck of glitter with the tools is technology that will change the world healthcare forever.
Citations
Cleveland Clinic. “Da Vinci Surgery: Treatment & Recovery.” Cleveland Clinic, 24 May 2021, myclevelandclinic org/health/treatments/16908-da-vinci-surgery
“Robotic Gynecologic Surgery.” AdventHealth, 2026, globalrobotics adventhealth com/global-robotics-institute/specialties/robotic-gynecologic-surgery
“Robotic Surgery | Department of Urologic Surgery | UC Davis Health.” Health.ucdavis.edu, health ucdavis edu/urology/specialties/robotic surgery/
“Robotic General Surgery” Orlando Health, wwworlandohealth com/services-and-specialties/robotic-general-surgery
Association, American Lung. “Robotic Thoracic Surgery.” Www.lung.org, wwwlung org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/robotic-thoracic-surgery
“Robotic Surgery Types | Texoma Medical Center.” Texoma Medical Center, 28 Jan. 2025, texomamedicalcenternet/services/surgery/robotic-surgery/robotic-surgery-types/
Partridge II, James. “Robotic Surgery Precision, Recovery.” Mayo Clinic Health System, 21 Dec. 2022, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/robotic-surgery-precision -and-recovery