“In Italy in 10 years 1 robot in each operating room”

They operate, diagnose, analyze and assist, without ever resting. Robotic technologies are changing the work in hospital wards which are becoming more and more computerized. But it is in the operating room that they find their ‘Formula 1’, with efficient and performative systems that, in the hands of the specialist, carry out interventions of the highest precision and save lives. “Today in Italy a lot of robotic surgical activity is carried out and I imagine that in the next 10 years there will be a robot in all operating theaters”. Pierluigi Marini, president of Acoi, the Italian hospital surgeons association, and director of the emergency and specialist surgery department of the San Camillo hospital in Rome, underlines this to Adnkronos Salute. The machines “help our work because they facilitate certain steps, especially when performing laparoscopic operations”, explains Marini. “We have greater safety and a higher quality, but behind the robot there is a specialized doctor trained to use it. And in Italy we are losing ground on this front – reports Marini – Today we have a great opportunity, the PNRR. In the Plan An investment is foreseen in the renewal of the NHS machine park which could really improve the situation of many hospitals in the Center-South. But we are also aiming for young trainees, let’s put them in a position to learn in Italy without going abroad “. According to president Acoi, “the technology and equipment that we use today in operating theaters is important, but I believe that the funds of the PNRR should also be invested in the hotel reception of the departments that today are not up to par and do not allow hospitalized patients. to be at ease – observes Marini – Then, we must focus a lot on telemedicine and surgical tele-consultation, in the first case the Covid emergency has shown how it can be essential to follow the patient at a distance. usable with an internet connection. These three points, in addition to improving hospital activities, also bring savings for the NHS “. Coming out of the operating room, we have a recent example of how a robot can integrate with the work of even a Covid department. In the Covid Center of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital of Rome, a robot works that moves autonomously in the different areas of the center to transport all materials for clinical use up to a load of 5 kilos, from blood products to drugs, at the moment in which health professionals are engaged in other clinical activities. It is equipped with a mobile base and is able to autonomously navigate in any environment, after having registered the map. It is in fact able to orient itself, to identify obstacles on the path and to avoid them, after having received the indication of the destination by an operator with a simple click. “Robots will change our work for the better – Marini reflects – but the the prices of these technologies are still high and this makes the difference. The more their diffusion increases, the more the prices could fall, but at the moment they represent an important investment for every hospital and you cannot have more robots that instead would also allow you to train for well a young surgeon. Working with machines such as the well-known ‘da Vinci’, the most advanced platform for minimally invasive surgery, is now widespread also in Italy, it is a rewarding experience but you need to train yourself well and to do so you need time and have a the machine is available. To become a surgeon one must study – concludes Marini – but also operate and there are no loopholes on this. A rule also applies when using a robot “.