title: A review of robotics in surgery.
abstract: A brief introduction is given to the definitions and history of surgical robotics. The capabilities and merits of surgical robots are then contrasted with the related field of computer assisted surgery. A classification is then given of the various types of robot system currently being investigated internationally, together with a number of examples of different applications in both soft-tissue and orthopaedic surgery. The paper finishes with a discussion of the main difficulties facing robotic surgery and a prediction of future progress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D004869:Equipment Safety; D005544:Forecasting; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012371:Robotics / Q000145:classification* / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*