Robotic surgery for liver cancer uses robotic arms controlled by the surgeon to remove a tumour through small cuts in the abdomen. The system gives the surgeon a magnified, high-definition view and precise, tremor-free control while working around important blood vessels and other structures in the liver.
It may be considered when the tumour is in a suitable location and the patient is fit enough to undergo robotic surgery, but it isn’t the right option for every patient. The tumour’s size, location, and complexity, along with the condition of the liver, need to be assessed before deciding whether robotic or open surgery is more suitable — larger or more complex tumours usually still require open surgery.
While robotic surgery for liver cancer focuses on tumour removal, robotic liver transplant involves a more complex application of the same technology to the transplant procedure itself. This is still a developing area, available only at select specialised centres.