Telerobotic assisted laparoscopic surgery: initial laboratory and clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of telerobotic assisted surgery.


METHODS
In a laboratory model, a cholecystectomy, splenectomy, and nephrectomy were performed by an inexperienced surgeon who was being mentored by an experienced surgeon stationed at a remote site. The remote surgeon controlled the laparoscopic camera by utilizing a telerobotic system. In patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, varix ligation, and bladder suspension were performed by an experienced team utilizing a robotic system controlled by an experienced surgeon from a remote site.


RESULTS
In both the laboratory and clinical setting, all procedures were successfully completed without complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Current technology is available to successfully allow for telerobotic assisted surgery.
Kavoussi
L R
LR
Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
Moore
R G
RG
Partin
A W
AW
Bender
J S
JS
Zenilman
M E
ME
Satava
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*