Robotic renal surgery.

Abstract

Robotic technology is an expansion of laparoscopic surgery. Robots can be conceived of as specialized laparoscopic tools; their aim is to improve dexterity of the operating surgeon, and therefore they correspond to computer-enhanced telemanipulator devices. For the patient, the advantage of robotic surgery is essentially the advantage of the laparoscopic approach. It gives surgeons tremendous benefits, however, with its intuitive Endowrist and dexterity. From the patient perspective, the biggest difference is between an open operation and one that uses minimally invasive techniques. The contribution of robotics to the evolution of surgery will be obvious if these new systems increase the number of conventionally trained surgeons performing more complex operations using minimally invasive surgical techniques, or if the outcome data from different centers worldwide suggest that the use of advanced technology permits surgeons to have augmented technical performance.