Robots in laparoscopic surgery.
BACKGROUND
The Da Vinci Robotic System became available at our institution in late August 2000. We decided to utilize this system to perform advanced laparoscopic procedures.


METHODS
This is a review of the status of robotics and its application in surgery. We report our experience using the Da Vinci system.


RESULTS
We have used the Da Vinci for 34 advanced laparoscopic cases: 7 gastric bypasses for morbid obesity, 9 Heller myotomies for achalasia, 11 donor nephrectomies, 2 gastrojejunostomies, and single cases of bilateral adrenalectomy, Nissen fundoplication, Toupet fundoplication, and cholecystectomy. No robot-related complications were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
This early experience suggests that robotic surgery is a safe and effective alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery. We believe that robotic surgery, with its ability to restore the hand-eye coordination and three-dimensional view lost in laparoscopic surgery, will allow us to perform complex procedures with greater precision and confidence and better results.
Horgan
S
S
Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612-7233, USA. shorgan@uic.edu
Vanuno
D
D
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics