Flexible Robotic System Useful for Sleep Apnea Surgeries, Finds UC San Diego

The Medrobotics system allows surgeons to not only access critical structures through a single entry point, but also avoid vital structures, such as cranial nerves involved in speech and swallowing, movement of the face, tongue, neck shoulder, arm, and diaphragm, as well as large vessels transporting blood to and from the face and brain, reports UC San Diego Health.

“For patients with sleep disorders, this technology allows us to perform procedures efficiently and safely, which is especially important when it comes to sleep apnea surgery,” said Paul Schalch Lepe, MD, board-certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine specialist at UC San Diego Health. “This way we can minimize the time we’re pushing on the tongue and avoid swelling, which is a huge advantage for the patient and surgeon.”

Robot-assisted surgery offers measurable advantages over many comparable traditional surgical techniques, from better visibility for the surgeon to intuitive hand-eye coordination and improved stabilization. UC San Diego Health’s expertise in robot-assisted surgery spans multiple specialties and involves a team of 25 highly specialized surgeons.

ucsd.edu

from Sleep Review https://ift.tt/320YlAp