Laparoscopy and robotics – an overhyped rivalry?
Highlights from the Laparoscopy & Robotics subspecialty meeting at the 50th annual conference of the Urological Society of India (Mumbai, India)
It was like Australia and E
ngland playing a friendly cricket match in the middle of the Ashes tour…or perhaps Liverpool and Manchester United fans celebrating together in the spirit of bonhomie…
In an ably conducted sub specialty meeting during the golden jubilee annual conference of the Urological Society of India, Dr. Mallikarjuna Chiruvella from Hyderabad, the hub of the Indian software revolution, brought together traditional rivals, Laparoscopy and Robotics – not for comparisons and conflicts – but to find common ground in terms of improving outcomes and handling complications.
Undoubtedly, there is a lot in common when it comes to these two modalities. Indeed one is the progeny of the other. The anatomy, approach, indications, complications, and indeed, the ways of dealing with them have more similarities than differences. Experts from both sides of the fence highlighted these similarities and delved into the finer technical points of these modalities across the wide spectrum of urological ailments – urolithiasis, reconstructive urology and urologic oncology. An important component was the special emphasis on laparoscopic training and suturing techniques.
Our very own Editor In Chief, Prof. Prokar Dasgupta, was the show stopper with an exciting talk on the future of robotic surgery in which he explored advancements related to imaging integration, in vivo microscopy, automation, virtual reality and haptic feedback in the next gen robotic systems of the future.
Video clip of Prof Dasgupta’s slides (no audio).
Sub specialty convener, Dr Mallikarjuna and co conveners, Dr Arvind Ganpule from Nadiad, Gujarat and Dr. Gagan Gautam from New Delhi managed to raise some goosebumps in the 500+ attendees by presenting 3 ‘nightmares’ video sessions which took a keen look at intraoperative disasters and ways and means of preventing and managing them.
While the debates on laparoscopy versus robotics continue, the content and conduct of the meeting ensured that everyone could take away something practical and implementable from this session. Here’s to the new found common ground!
Gagan Gautam Head – Urologic Oncology & Robotic Surgery, Max Institute of Cancer Care, New Delhi, India. Twitter: @DrGaganGautam
Dr. Mallikarjuna Chiruvella Managing director, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Erramanzil colony, Hyderabad, India