Thinking of undergoing plastic surgery? You may be surprised to know that a robot could perform your next facelift.
Well, sort of.
A common practice in general and gynecologic surgery, robotic-assisted microsurgery is now making its entry into the world of plastics. However, not every surgeon is skilled with the robotic scalpel. To measure surgeons’ success in robotic surgery, doctors created a unique tracking instrument known as the Structured Assessment of Robotic Microsurgical Skills, or SARMS.
Developed in the 1980s, robotic technology has allowed for great improvements in a wide array of surgical fields. Along with cutting down on recovery times, robotics reduces human error, allows for greater accuracy, and even decreases the chances of infection after surgery. Additionally, robotic surgery lets doctors access intracorporeal sites in a less invasive way that’s safer for the patient.
Despite the many advantages associated with this technology, robotic surgery is only as effective as the person wielding the mechanical arm, and in the long run inexperienced doctors can do more harm than good. Until recently, no single tool existed to measure robotic microsurgery performance among practitioners.
The first tool of its kind, the SARMS tracking system allows hospitals and patients to measure doctors’ skillsets in 11 different aspects of robotic microsurgery. Along with six areas assessing microsurgery skills, the tool evaluates the doctor’s ability to use robotics in five different capacities.
In a recent study led by Dr. Jesse C. Selber, head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, researchers evaluated nine trainees using the new SARMS tracking system. Unsurprisingly, the results indicated that doctors’ scores increased as they performed more surgeries, while mean operating times tended to decrease. Using a five-point scale with levels ranging from novice to expert, Dr. Selber’s team determined that that the average trainee increased her score from a 2 to a 4 during the course of the study.
It’s no secret that plastic surgery can have a significant effect on your self-esteem, as well as the way others perceive you in work and social settings. If you’re thinking of going under the AI knife, take the time to check out your surgeon’s track record before scheduling a procedure. Reviewing your doctor’s credentials is the best way to guarantee a great end result for your surgery.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about plastic surgery, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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