Current status of robotic assisted pelvic surgery and future developments

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery has expanded rapidly since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy.¹ x 1 Mouret, P. How I developed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ann Acad Med Singap. 1996; 25: 744–747 PubMed | Google Scholar See all References This was driven by the quest for smaller incisions, faster recovery, less stay related complications and improved dexterity, which gained further momentum as a result of the introduction of robotics to surgery. The era of robotic surgery dawned in early 1990s,² x 2 Satava, R.M. Surgical robotics: the early chronicles: a personal historical perspective. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2002; 12: 6–16 Crossref | PubMed | Google Scholar See all References and many of the current systems emerged by the end of that decade. These include the ‘master-slave robotic systems’ such as the da Vinci and ZEUS surgical systems, which allowed entry to an era where poor visibility, hand tremors, limited freedom of movement and bulky instruments were not a problem.³ x 3 Garth, H.B. and Fred, M. The da Vinci telerobotic surgical system: the virtual operative field and telepresence surgery. Surg Clin North Am. 2003; 83: 1293–1304 Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (167) | Google Scholar See all References