ROBOTIC SURGERY 

Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2007 June;59(2):179-89

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Robotics and telemanipulation: update and perspectives in urology

Frede T. ¹, Jaspers J. ², Hammady A. ¹, Lesch J. ¹, Teber D. ³, Rassweiler J. ³

¹ Department of Urology HELIOS-Klinik, Müllheim, Germany 2 Department of Medical Technology UMC, Utrecht, The Netherlands 3 Department of Urology SLK-Kliniken, Heilbronn, Germany

Robotic surgery in urology has become a reality in the year 2007 with several thousand robotic prostatectomies having been performed already worldwide. Compared to conventional laparoscopy, the process of learning the robotic technique is short and the operative results are comparable to those of conventional laparoscopy or even open surgery. However, there are still some disadvantages with the robotic systems, mainly technical (tactile feedback) and financial (investment and running costs). Alternative and more inexpensive technologies must be considered in order to overcome the difficulties of conventional laparoscopy (instrument handling, degrees of freedom, 3-D vision), while also integrating advantages of the robotic systems.