Robotic surgery in gynecology: is the future already here?

• Published in: Minimally invasive therapy and allied technologies Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 815 - 824
• Main Authors: Gitas, Georgios, Hanker, Lars, Rody, Achim, Ackermann, Johannes, Alkatout, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.08.2022
• Subjects: gynecology; laparoscopy; oncological outcome; Robotic surgery; Robotic surgery; gynecology; laparoscopy; oncological outcome
• ISSN: 1364-5706; 1365-2931; 1365-2931
• DOI: 10.1080/13645706.2021.2010763

Robotic-assisted surgery has gained widespread acceptance in the surgical community and appears to be the most rapidly developing sector of minimally invasive surgery. However, robotic surgery has been viewed as a development of, or alternative to, laparoscopic surgery and not necessarily as a superior technology. The advantages of MIS over open surgery apply to robotic-assisted surgery as well. Nevertheless, conflicting data have been published about the advantages and disadvantages of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery. In the last few years, robotic-assisted surgery has been used for various gynecological procedures such as hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy, myomectomy, sacrocolpopexy or endometriosis operations. In the present review, we analyze the current use of robotic-assisted surgery and its efficiency in gynecology. Patient-based outcomes, such as quality of life and outcomes in morbidly obese patients are also addressed. The potential benefits of single-port robotic-assisted surgery are discussed. Most of the studies published so far state that robotic-assisted surgery does not essentially improve the surgical outcome compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, randomized studies are scarce. Ongoing technological progress over the next few years may improve robotic-assisted techniques and thus optimize the patient's treatment.