The da Vinci® Si surgical robot and inomed pIOM technology >> were used together for the first time during the surgical removal of rectal cancer with a low anterior resection. The inomed pIOM software hardware/platform was used to monitor the autonomic nerves in the pelvis during robot-assisted surgery. Whereas the inomed pIOM technology is widely used for non-robot assisted surgeries, the use of inomed pIOM with the da Vinci® Si surgical robot further illustrate the acceptance of inomed pIOM technology for such procedures.
The recent publication by Dr. Marian Grade MD et. al. (University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany) „Pelvic intraoperative neuromonitoring during robotic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer” details the first successful joint application of both systems for a low anterior resection.
pIOM can help improve surgical method and outcome
According to Dr. Grade (University Medical Center Göttingen) whereas the da Vinci® surgical robot provides a better overview in the operating field and an ergonomic position for the surgeon – due to the high complexity of the nervous system in the surgical plane, secondary diseases such as stool and bladder incontinence or sexual dysfunction cannot always be prevented.
In this context, the aforementioned publication reports on the successful joint use of the da Vinci® system with the inomed pIOM-technology and the resulting indication of an improved nerve monitoring. According to Dr. Grade pIOM “[…] may be of substantial value, because it provides the surgeon with a direct feedback whether the plane of dissection is close to the pelvic autonomic nerves.” The experiences gained in Göttingen so far is promising for patients. To date, Dr Grade has reported of three successful joint applications at the University Medical Center Göttingen.
pIOM technology helps to reduce secondary damage during pelvic surgery
inomed pIOM technology was developed and patented in cooperation with the University Medical Center Mainz (Germany). It provides a quality control concerning nerve preserving surgery during the resection of rectal cancer. It can help reduce the incidence of incontinence and sexual dysfunction and leads to an improvement in postoperative quality of life for patients. Since its launch in 2014 and during 2015, the number of hospitals implementing inomed pIOM technology has increased significantly.