title: Robot-assisted urological surgery: Current status and future perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the current status of robot-assisted urological surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed for articles published from 2008 using the search terms 'advances', 'robotic surgery equipment' and 'instrumentation'. We also searched PubMed for articles describing the latest developments in reconstructive techniques for lower and upper urinary tract procedures. Finally, we searched PubMed for original articles containing the terms 'robotic surgery training' and 'credentialing'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With each release of hardware or ancillary instrumentation, the reconstructive abilities of the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) improve. Recent developments in reconstructive capabilities of robotic urological surgery include posterior reconstruction during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, barbed sutures for urethrovesical anastomosis, sliding-clip renorrhaphy for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, and repair of pelvic organ prolapse. The safe implementation of robotic surgery is aided by new guidelines in credentialing and proctoring, and the introduction of virtual reality simulators for training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic urological surgery is rapidly developing and expanding globally. To achieve the highest levels of safety for patients, surgeons must ensure that the implementation of robotic surgery is an integrative and effective process.
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Khurshid R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ghani
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Quoc-Dien
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Trinh
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sammon
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Wooju
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dabaja
authors.affiliation: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Mani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menon
keywords: 3D, three-dimensional; Credentialing; POP, pelvic organ prolapse; PR, posterior reconstruction; RA(S)(RP)(PN)(SC), robot-assisted (surgery) (radical prostatectomy) (partial nephrectomy) (sacrocolpopexy); Reconstruction; Robotic surgery; Training; UVA, urethrovesical anastomosis; VR, virtual reality; dVSS, da Vinci surgical system