Yonsei Med J.  2008 Dec;49(6):891-896. 10.3349/ymj.2008.49.6.891.

Robotic Colorectal Surgery

• Baik SH

• KMID: 1782935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2008.49.6.891

Abstract

Robotic colorectal surgery has gradually been performed more with the help of the technological advantages of the da Vinci(R) system. Advanced technological advantages of the da Vinci(R) system compared with standard laparoscopic colorectal surgery have been reported. These are a stable camera platform, three-dimensional imaging, excellent ergonomics, tremor elimination, ambidextrous capability, motion scaling, and instruments with multiple degrees of freedom. However, despite these technological advantages, most studies did not report the clinical advantages of robotic colorectal surgery compared to standard laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Only one study recently implies the real benefits of robotic rectal cancer surgery. The purpose of this review article is to outline the early concerns of robotic colorectal surgery using the da Vinci(R) system, to present early clinical outcomes from the most current series, and to discuss not only the safety and the feasibility but also the real benefits of robotic colorectal surgery. Moreover, this article will comment on the possible future clinical advantages and limitations of the da Vinci(R) system in robotic colorectal surgery.

Keyword

Robotic surgery; colorectal surgery; laparoscopy; da Vinci(R) system

MeSH Terms

Colorectal Neoplasms/*surgery
Digestive System Surgical Procedures/history/instrumentation/*methods
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Humans
Robotics/history/instrumentation/*methods

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Three components of the da Vinci® surgical system. (A) the surgeon's console, (B) a cart with robotic arms, (C) an electronic tower holding video and air inflation equipment.

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  Fig. 2 The operating theater with the da Vinci® system. Total mesorectal excision is performed using the da Vinci® system.

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