In Japan, iatrogenic diseases are extraordinarily prevalent.
Japan’s healthcare system has fallen drastically behind global standards to protect its outdated medical community. To avoid becoming a victim of iatrogenic disease, you must approach doctors with skepticism. It is crucial to confront the harsh realities of Japan’s medical situation. Below is one piece of information to consider. The two ★-marked points contain extremely important insights that Japanese doctors would never openly discuss.
Da Vinci Xi: A robotic surgical assistance system equipped with four arms, each capable of operating surgical instruments. It represents an advanced evolution of laparoscopic surgery technology.
★ The Problem of Body Temperature Decline in Open Surgery
In open surgery, internal organs are exposed to outside air, leading to the evaporation of bodily moisture and organ dehydration. This evaporative cooling draws heat from deep within the body, causing the organs and intestines to cool down. This process increases the risk of hypothermia throughout the body.
★ Impact on Postoperative Outcomes
After surgery, a drop in body temperature can lead to a condition called ileus (intestinal paralysis), where the intestines stop functioning for several days. If ileus occurs, intestinal pressure increases, heightening the risk of anastomotic leakage (rupture at the site of intestinal reconstruction). Anastomotic leakage—where sutured blood vessels or tissue tear—constitutes surgical failure and can result in infections, sepsis, and potentially life-threatening complications.
The surgeon’s ability to suture accurately and quickly is critical to the patient’s survival. A lack of skill can turn into a fatal case of iatrogenic disease. It is essential to quantify surgical skill levels, as surgeons are, in essence, craftsmen.
Recent Trends in Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
Patients are now encouraged to begin rehabilitation exercises much earlier after open surgery. This is done to promote recovery from ileus or to minimize the risks associated with its complications. However, this approach involves accepting risks such as ruptures or leaks from incompletely healed sutures, as well as blood or lymph leakage.
Comparison with Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery maintains the temperature and humidity of the abdominal cavity, preventing organ dehydration and hypothermia. This reduces the risk of ileus, resulting in faster recovery, less pain, and earlier hospital discharge.
Challenges of Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery
While laparoscopic surgery eliminates the need for large incisions and reduces physical strain, it has limitations. These include restricted views and limited instrument movement due to the lack of articulated tools. Additionally, surgeon hand tremors can affect the precision of the operation.
Advantages of the Da Vinci System
High-Resolution 3D Camera: Magnifies the surgical field by 10-15x, providing detailed visualization of organs and tissues, thereby improving surgical accuracy.
Articulated Surgical Instruments: Enables precise and complex movements that are challenging with traditional laparoscopic tools.
Tremor Compensation: Corrects surgeon hand tremors, ensuring accurate and stable surgical performance.
Benefits for Patients and Surgeons
For Patients: Maintains temperature and humidity during surgery, leading to faster recovery, less pain, and shorter hospital stays.
For Surgeons: Enables surgeons to operate while seated, reducing physical strain. A single surgeon can control four robotic arms, increasing surgical team efficiency and lowering costs.
Next-Generation Model: DV5
The DV5 model introduces haptic feedback, which could further enhance surgical safety and precision.