Robotic Surgery

Will a robot operate on my child?

No, the robot is entirely controlled by the surgeon.

What are the benefits of robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery increases dexterity, precision, and visibility so surgeons can perform more complex procedures through tiny incisions, resulting in less pain, faster recovery, reduced hospitalization time and less scarring.

Is robotic surgery different from open surgery?

Robotic equipment makes it possible to perform the same procedure as open surgery, but through a much smaller incision.

Will the surgeon be in the operating room with my child?

Yes. During robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console in the room, and another surgeon is at your child's bedside.

What if the equipment breaks or something goes wrong?

Although this is very rare, surgeons are trained to rapidly and safely remove the robotic equipment and convert to open surgery if necessary.

Is robotic surgery experimental?

No. At Children's, robotic surgery is only performed for procedures where it has been studied extensively and proven both effective and more beneficial than traditional surgery.

  
Is robotic surgery covered by insurance?  

Yes. Robotic surgery is covered by insurance.

Will the surgery be faster?

No, robotic surgery is longer than open surgery because it takes time to place the equipment. However, recovery time is significantly shorter.