Dr. Lana Schumacher and the Benefits of Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Many technological advances have facilitated changes that are affecting people for the better. For example, medicine is now more advanced than ever before due to advancements in digital equipment. Hence why an average patient is now more likely to overcome a disease than ever before. But, on a large list of innovative projects, what could be the most far-reaching invention? Is it the development of new drugs? Or the improvement of old-fashioned machinery? Well, the answer certainly differs depending on who is asked. If one was to ask a prominent thoracic surgeon like Dr. Lana Schumacher, the answer would revolve around robotics.

To be more precise, robot systems related to thoracic surgery. For those unfamiliar, this area involves all procedures within the patient's chest region. Thus, it can include conditions that pertain to one's heart or things like lung cancer. Regardless, the development of robotics is currently changing the field for the better. In fact, there are dozens of benefits that one can attribute to robot-based thoracic surgery.

Small Incision

To better understand why people like Dr. Lana Schumacher fully support the trend, one must take a look at the past. Prior to robotics taking over this field, the procedures looked a lot different. For instance, a simple surgery that had to be done within one's chest area involved multiple steps. First, there would be a rather noticeable incision across their pectoral area. Those incisions were often so large that the scars would be impossible to hide. Then, the rib cage would have to be spread so that the organs are exposed.

Nowadays, however, the simplicity that characterizes the entire procedure is breathtaking. Robotics enable doctors to enter the same body region through an almost paper-cut-like incision. Using miniature tools that go inside of the body, the surgeon on the other end completes the procedure. Thus, it is nowhere near as invasive as it used to be a decade ago. Not to mention that the patient will not have a hefty scar to bear for the rest of their life.

Speedy Recovery

Although a lot of the benefits depend on the severity of the procedure, robotics generally enable faster recovery times. Simply considering the previous example can prove this. When people did heart surgeries in the past, the healing of their incision scar itself would take weeks. Now, that period is entirely avoided since the minor cuts made by the robot heal rapidly. Also, there is no rib cage manipulation and dangerous side effects of such practice.

So, although it is still not a one-day job, patients can look forward to less time at a hospital. Even the discomfort of countless bandages to treat the scar tissue is minimized. Accordingly, one of the most obvious advantages is the fast recovery that robotic thoracic surgery comes with.

The Precision

As the name indicates, these developments rely on a robotic system. Meaning, there is a computer involved. Now, why would someone care about the fact that a machine is doing a lot of the work? Well, because that minimizes surgical negligence. And, according to the latest findings, around 300,000 people die due to human medical errors annually. Therefore, knowing that a computer-level of precision is applied certainly improves the overall odds of success.

Less Blood Loss and Fewer Transfusions

Another significant benefit pertains to the blood loss and corresponding transfusion. Just consider the shocking fact that an average cardiac surgery facilitates a 38-percent loss of red blood cells. Going back to the incision, minor entry points do not cause heavy bleeding. In fact, one could say that the loss of red blood cells is astronomically lower when utilizing robotics. For patients, that means fewer transfusions and post-operation procedures. Ultimately, it contributes to a faster discharge from the hospital.

Accessibility

States like New York, where medicine is developing extremely fast, are already growing this field massively. For other locations, however, the equipment is slow coming. Nevertheless, robotics are becoming more and more accessible every day. People will soon be able to do these procedures at their local hospitals. So, another benefit is the steep growth curve that the field is showcasing. Luckily, that also indicates that insurance companies will soon have to start covering all robotic-based maneuvers. Although that is not the case currently, changes might come as popularity rises.

After all, insurance providers will see themselves at a disadvantage if they disapprove of robotics in medicine. Besides driving their customers away, they will stand in the way of a trend that is gaining momentum. Thus, it is safe to say that Dr. Lana Schumacher is not wrong for seeing the potential of robot-based thoracic procedures. In fact, professionals like her might be the driving force for improved medical efforts that will save more lives.