title: Novel Technologies in Urologic Surgery: a Rapidly Changing Scenario.
abstract: The introduction of laparoscopy and robotic surgery revolutionized the surgical management of urologic patients. Nonetheless, we live in an era of rapid changes, and we are probably still in the infancy of technology applied to surgery. When considering currently available technologies, there are several unmet needs to be addressed. These include the application of augmented reality, haptic feedback, tissue recognition, distant remote control, miniaturization of surgical instruments, the learning curve typical of the introduction of novel techniques, and excessive costs. In the next few years, evolution in imaging modalities in pre- and intraoperative surgical planning, as well as the introduction of novel minimally invasive platforms, would in part address these issues, substantially improving surgical outcomes. In addition, validated training programs would allow for the safe implementation of novel techniques in the clinical practice. Finally, a reduction in costs would be necessary to make technology affordable and to optimize healthcare resources.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Urology/Division of Oncology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.|Department of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium.|OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Melle, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schatteman
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Naeyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frederiek
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Hondt
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital, OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium. a.mottrie@telenet.be.|OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Melle, Belgium. a.mottrie@telenet.be.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mottrie
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
keywords: Augmented reality; Intraoperative imaging; Minimally invasive surgery; Novel technologies; Robotic surgery; Urology