Robotics in laparoscopic surgery: current status and future perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic surgery has been introduced to limit the burden of surgical damage to the abdominal wall and peritoneum.


METHODS
Description of procedure and results of robotic laparoscopic surgery.


RESULTS
Laparoscopic surgery has resulted in reduction of postoperative pain, surgery-related complications and scarring. Laparoscopic techniques, however, are challenging for the surgeon owing to the disadvantages of inverted and restricted manipulation and the indirect two-dimensional view. In order to solve these problems, robotic telemanipulation systems were developed and introduced to the market at the end of the past decade. This article describes and discusses the current status and future perspectives of robotic systems in endoscopic surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic laparoscopic surgery overcomes some of the disadvantages of conventional laparoscopic surgery.
Broeders
I A M J
IA
Dept. of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands. I.Broeders@chir.azu.nl
Ruurda
J P
JP
D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000639:trends; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation