What is Endoscopy?  Endoscopy is a procedure that involves the visual examination of the inside of the body organs and cavities using a lighted instrument with lenses.  This image can be viewed by a eyepiece that is projected onto the monitor.

During 2005, the Health and Administration approved this device called the de Vinci for medical procedures.  This device allows for a less invasive surgical procedure.  It is used for many types of procedures such as a colonoscopy, authroscopy and laparoscopy.  The precision of the cut it makes are very small and allows for a faster recovery time with minimul scaring.  The de Vinci makes small incisions about 1/2 inch long instead of a long incision that requires staples or stiches.

The use of the endoscopy during a colonoscopy allows for a less invasive procedure to check for issues that might be occuring with the large intestine.This is used to check for colon cancer. Arthroscopy is where it is used to examine the interior joint of the knee.This is used for a knee replacement. Laproscopy is when it is used to examine the organs of the abodominal region, such as a hysterectomy.

The robotic procedure has become very popular because it does allow for a person to return back to their normal activites quicker than the old procedures. One example is with a hysterectomy would normally take 6 to 8 weeks for a recovery period whereas using the de Vinci it takes 2 weeks.

Doctors have to go through extensive training in order to use this machine. It offers high definition and 3D images making it easier for the doctor to see what he/she is doing. This procedure has become very popular in the past few years.

Ko EM, Muto MG, Berkowitz RS, Feltmate CM.Robotic versus open radical hysterectomy:a comparative study at a single institution. Gynecol Oncol.2008 Dec;111(3):425-30.Epub.2008 Oct 16